Sarcopenia with limited mobility: an international consensus

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Muscle Physiology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Sarcopenia, defined as reduced muscle mass, is increasingly recognized as a critical health issue in aging populations.
• Limited mobility is a key characteristic associated with sarcopenia, impacting daily functioning and quality of life.
• The Society of Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders convened a consensus conference to address these issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish sarcopenia with limited mobility as an important clinical entity.
• To recommend screening protocols for older individuals at risk.
• To define criteria for clinically significant interventions.

Main Methods:

• A consensus conference involving experts in sarcopenia, cachexia, and wasting disorders was held.
• Defined diagnostic criteria for "sarcopenia with limited mobility" based on muscle mass, walking speed, and 6-minute walk distance.
• Established exclusion criteria to differentiate from other specific diseases.

Main Results:

• Sarcopenia with limited mobility is now recognized as a significant clinical entity.
• Screening of most older persons for this condition is advised.
• Specific metrics for mobility limitation (walking speed ≤ 1 m/s or 6-minute walk < 400 m) and muscle mass (lean appendicular mass 2 SDs below young adult mean) were defined.

Conclusions:

• Sarcopenia with limited mobility warrants clinical attention and targeted interventions.
• Screening older adults can identify individuals who may benefit from interventions aimed at improving mobility.
• Clinically significant interventions are characterized by measurable improvements in walking speed or distance.