Outcome Priorities for Older Persons With Sarcopenia

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength, significantly impacts the quality of life in older adults.
• Understanding patient preferences for different health outcomes is crucial for developing effective management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the preferences of community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia regarding various health outcomes.
• To identify the most valued outcomes for individuals experiencing sarcopenia.

Main Methods:

• A discrete-choice experiment (DCE) was conducted with 216 sarcopenic individuals aged 65 and older across six European countries.
• Participants ranked the importance of five sarcopenia outcomes: quality of life, mobility, domestic activities, fatigue, and falls.
• Mixed logit and latent class models were employed to analyze patient preferences and identify response profiles.

Main Results:

• All five assessed outcomes were significant for sarcopenic individuals.
• Mobility was the most important outcome overall (30%), followed by domestic activities (22%), falls (18%), fatigue (17%), and quality of life (14%).
• Two distinct preference classes were identified: one prioritizing mobility, domestic activities, and falls; the other emphasizing fatigue, domestic activities, and falls.

Conclusions:

• Mobility and the ability to manage domestic activities are paramount for older adults with sarcopenia.
• Significant variations in outcome preferences exist among individuals with sarcopenia, necessitating tailored interventions.
• Incorporating patient-reported preferences is essential for designing patient-centered solutions for sarcopenia management.