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Sarcopenia-a geriatric pandemic : A narrative review
1Dept. Acute Geriatric Care, Clinic Favoriten, Kudratstraße 3, 1100, Vienna, Austria. marcus.koeller@gesundheitsverbund.at.
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|April 13, 2022
Summary
Frailty and sarcopenia prevalence will rise with increased life expectancy. The SARC-F questionnaire offers a recommended screening method for identifying sarcopenia in clinical settings.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and geriatric medicine
- Muscle physiology and aging
Background:
- Increasing life expectancy drives a growing prevalence of age-related conditions like frailty and sarcopenia.
- Sarcopenia affects 10% of community-dwelling older adults, rising to 40-50% in nursing home residents.
- Sarcopenia's multifactorial pathogenesis involves aging, lifestyle, nutrition, and immunological/endocrine factors.
Approach:
- Diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia necessitate assessment of physical parameters (muscle mass) and functional aspects (strength, gait speed, performance).
- Recent European guidelines recommend the SARC-F questionnaire for routine clinical screening of sarcopenia.
- Utilizing the SARC-F questionnaire aids in early identification and management of sarcopenia.
Key Points:
- Sarcopenia diagnosis requires evaluating both muscle mass and functional capabilities.
- The SARC-F questionnaire is a validated tool for sarcopenia screening in older populations.
- Geographical variations exist in sarcopenia prevalence across different living environments.
Conclusions:
- Early identification and management of sarcopenia are crucial due to its increasing prevalence.
- The SARC-F questionnaire provides a practical approach for sarcopenia screening in clinical practice.
- Addressing sarcopenia's multifactorial causes is essential for mitigating its impact on aging populations.
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