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Sarcopenia and COVID-19 Outcomes

Yuhan Wang1, Shuwen Tan1, Qihui Yan1

  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.

Clinical Interventions in Aging
|March 16, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Sarcopenia, or muscle loss, predicts worse outcomes in older adults with COVID-19. Early screening and treatment of sarcopenia are crucial for improving patient recovery and reducing mortality risks.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a significant global health risk, particularly to older adults.
  • Sarcopenia, characterized by age-related muscle loss, is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing COVID-19 patient outcomes.
  • Potential mechanisms linking sarcopenia to severe COVID-19 include chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and respiratory/swallowing impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the association between sarcopenia and COVID-19 severity and adverse outcomes.
  • To elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms connecting sarcopenia and poor COVID-19 prognosis.
  • To discuss sarcopenia screening tools and advocate for early intervention in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of current literature on sarcopenia and COVID-19.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data and clinical outcomes.
  • Exploration of pathophysiological pathways and therapeutic targets.

Main Results:

  • Sarcopenia is a significant predictor of increased mortality, hospitalization duration, intensive care unit admission, and need for mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients.
  • Chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation are key mechanisms mediating the negative impact of sarcopenia on COVID-19 outcomes.
  • Interleukin-6 receptor blockers show potential therapeutic benefits, warranting further investigation for sarcopenia management in COVID-19.

Conclusions:

  • Sarcopenia exacerbates COVID-19 severity and adverse outcomes, especially in older adults.
  • Early identification and management of sarcopenia are essential for improving clinical trajectories.
  • Further research is needed, particularly concerning the Omicron variant and the efficacy of targeted therapies.

Keywords:
COVID-19IL-6inflammationsarcopeniaskeletal muscle

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