DIAGNOSING SARCOPENIA: FUNCTIONAL PERSPECTIVES AND A NEW ALGORITHM FROM ISarcoPRM

Sarcopenia is an important public health problem, characterized by age-related loss of muscle mass and muscle function. It is a precursor of physical frailty, mobility limitation, and premature death. Muscle loss is mainly due to the loss of type II mus-cle fibres, and progressive loss of motor neurones is thought to be the primary underlying factor. Ante-rior thigh muscles undergo atrophy earlier, and the loss of anterior thigh muscle function may therefore be an antecedent finding. The aim of this review is to provide an in-depth (and holistic) neuromusculoske-letal approach to sarcopenia. In addition, under the umbrella of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM), a novel diagnostic algorithm is proposed, developed with the consen-sus of experts in the special interest group on sar-copenia (ISarcoPRM). The advantages of this algo-rithm over the others are: special caution concerning disorders related to the renin-angiotensin system at the case finding stage; emphasis on anterior thigh muscle mass and function loss; incorporation of ul-trasound for the first time to measure the anterior thigh muscle; and addition of a chair stand test as a power/performance test to assess anterior thigh muscle function. Refining and testing the algorithm remains a priority for future research.

Automated summary

Sarcopenia is a significant public health issue characterized by age-related muscle mass and function loss. A new diagnostic algorithm has been proposed by experts, with special attention to disorders related to the renin-angiotensin system and an emphasis on measuring anterior thigh muscle mass and function loss.