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Review
. 2019 Oct;10(5):956-961.
doi: 10.1002/jcsm.12483. Epub 2019 Sep 15.

Sarcopenia: A Time for Action. An SCWD Position Paper

Juergen Bauer  1 , John E Morley  2 , Annemie M W J Schols  3 , Luigi Ferrucci  4 , Alfonso J Cruz-Jentoft  5 , Elsa Dent  6   7 , Vickie E Baracos  8 , Jeffrey A Crawford  9 , Wolfram Doehner  10   11   12 , Steven B Heymsfield  13 , Aminah Jatoi  14 , Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh  15 , Mitja Lainscak  16 , Francesco Landi  17   18 , Alessandro Laviano  19 , Michelangelo Mancuso  20 , Maurizio Muscaritoli  19 , Carla M Prado  21 , Florian Strasser  22 , Stephan von Haehling  23   24 , Andrew J S Coats  25 , Stefan D Anker  10   11   12
Affiliations
Review

Sarcopenia: A Time for Action. An SCWD Position Paper

Juergen Bauer et al. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2019 Oct.

Abstract

The term sarcopenia was introduced in 1988. The original definition was a "muscle loss" of the appendicular muscle mass in the older people as measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In 2010, the definition was altered to be low muscle mass together with low muscle function and this was agreed upon as reported in a number of consensus papers. The Society of Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders supports the recommendations of more recent consensus conferences, i.e. that rapid screening, such as with the SARC-F questionnaire, should be utilized with a formal diagnosis being made by measuring grip strength or chair stand together with DXA estimation of appendicular muscle mass (indexed for height2). Assessments of the utility of ultrasound and creatine dilution techniques are ongoing. Use of ultrasound may not be easily reproducible. Primary sarcopenia is aging associated (mediated) loss of muscle mass. Secondary sarcopenia (or disease-related sarcopenia) has predominantly focused on loss of muscle mass without the emphasis on muscle function. Diseases that can cause muscle wasting (i.e. secondary sarcopenia) include malignant cancer, COPD, heart failure, and renal failure and others. Management of sarcopenia should consist of resistance exercise in combination with a protein intake of 1 to 1.5 g/kg/day. There is insufficient evidence that vitamin D and anabolic steroids are beneficial. These recommendations apply to both primary (age-related) sarcopenia and secondary (disease related) sarcopenia. Secondary sarcopenia also needs appropriate treatment of the underlying disease. It is important that primary care health professionals become aware of and make the diagnosis of age-related and disease-related sarcopenia. It is important to address the risk factors for sarcopenia, particularly low physical activity and sedentary behavior in the general population, using a life-long approach. There is a need for more clinical research into the appropriate measurement for muscle mass and the management of sarcopenia. Accordingly, this position statement provides recommendations on the management of sarcopenia and how to progress the knowledge and recognition of sarcopenia.

Keywords: Cachexia; Geriatric assessment; Muscle; Muscle strength; Sarcopenia; Skeletal.

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Conflict of interest statement

A.J.S.C. has received speaker fees and/or honoraria from Astra Zeneca, Menarini, Novartis, Nutricia, Servier, Vifor, Actimed, CVRx, Enopace, Faraday, Gore, Respicardia, Stealth Peptides, and V‐Wave. A.J.C.‐J. has received speaker fees from Abbott Nutrition, Fresenius, Nestlé, Nutricia, and Sanofi‐Aventis; is a member of advisory boards for Abbott Nutrition, Nestlé, and Pfizer; and has worked on research projects with Abbott Nutrition and Nutricia. J.C. discloses the following: consultant/independent contractor: Amgen, AstraZeneca, Coherus, Enzychem, Merck, and Pfizer; grant/research support: AstraZeneca, Genentech, and Helsinn; Chair/DSMB member: Beyond Spring. S.H. serves in Tanita and Medifast Medical Advisory Boards. A.L. has received honoraria for independent lectures at educational events organized by nutrition industry. He is a member of the scientific advisory board of Smartfish.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The factors involved in the pathogenesis of primary (age related) sarcopenia.
Figure 2
Figure 2
SARC‐F questionnaire (includes scoring).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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