J Yeungnam Med Sci.  2023 Oct;40(4):352-363. 10.12701/jyms.2023.00724.

Multidisciplinary approach to sarcopenia: a narrative review

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea

Abstract

Sarcopenia is a condition in which muscle mass and strength are decreased and muscle function is impaired. It is an indicator of frailty and loss of independence in older adults. It is also associated with increased physical disability, which increases the risk of falls. As a multifactorial disease, sarcopenia is caused by a combination of factors including aging, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, and physical inactivity. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology of sarcopenia and identifying its different causes is critical to developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. This review summarizes the pathophysiology, consequences, diagnostic methods, and multidisciplinary approaches to sarcopenia.

Keyword

Consequences; Diagnostic methods; Multidisciplinary approach; Pathophysiology; Sarcopenia

Figure

  • Fig. 1. A body composition measurement of a 77-year-old female patient from a whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner. According to the diagnostic criteria of Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019, appendicular skeletal mass index of this patient was 4.86 kg/m2, which can be classified as a low muscle mass.

  • Fig. 2. A handgrip strength test using a handgrip dynamometer. Low muscle strength is defined as a handgrip strength of <28 kg for men and <18 kg for women.


Reference

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