Utility of four sarcopenia criteria for the prediction of falls-related hospitalization in older Australian women

Diagnostic Criteria and Measurement Techniques of Sarcopenia: A Critical Evaluation of the Up-to-Date Evidence

Sarcopenia, a geriatric syndrome characterized by progressive skeletal muscle mass and function decline, poses a significant health risk among the elderly, contributing to frailty, falls, hospitalization, loss of independence and mortality. The prevalence of sarcopenia varies significantly based on various factors, such as living status, demographics, measurement techniques and diagnostic criteria. Although the overall prevalence is reported at 10% in individuals aged 60 and above, disparities exist across settings, with higher rates in nursing homes and hospitals. Additionally, the differences in prevalence between Asian and non-Asian countries highlight the impact of cultural and ethnic factors, and variations in diagnostic criteria, cut-off values and assessment methods contribute to the observed heterogeneity in reported rates. This review outlines diverse diagnostic criteria and several measurement techniques supporting decision making in clinical practice. Moreover, it facilitates the selection of appropriate tools to assess sarcopenia, emphasizing its multifactorial nature. Various scientific groups, including the European Working Group of Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), the International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS), the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (AWGS), the American Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) and the Sarcopenia Definition and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC), have published consensus papers outlining diverse definitions of sarcopenia. The choice of diagnostic criteria should be aligned with the specific objectives of the study or clinical practice, considering the characteristics of the study population and available resources.

Nutritional strategies to optimise musculoskeletal health for fall and fracture prevention: Looking beyond calcium, vitamin D and protein

Falls and osteoporotic fractures are a major public health problem, particularly among older adults. A third of individuals aged 65 years and over fall at least once each year, with up to 20 % of these resulting in serious injury, including fracture. In conjunction with regular exercise, the importance of diet for musculoskeletal health has largely focused upon calcium, vitamin D, and protein, particularly in the context of preventing falls and fractures. Whilst there is evidence for the benefits of these nutrients for musculoskeletal health, other aspects of the diet remain largely underexplored. For example, vegetables are rich sources of macro- and micronutrients that are essential for muscle function and bone health, which are key factors in the prevention of falls and fractures. Recent work has highlighted the importance of nutrients such as vegetable-derived nitrate and vitamin K1 in optimising muscle strength, physical function, and bone quality. In the context of dietary patterns, vegan/plant-based diets have recently gained popularity due to perceived health benefits, animal welfare, or to tackle climate change. The elimination and/or substitution of animal-based products for plant foods (without careful planning and/or expert dietary guidance) could, however, have long-term negative musculoskeletal consequences; a trend uncovered by recent evidence. Within the overarching theme of nutrition for fall and fracture prevention in older populations, the aim of this review is to (i) summarise the current evidence for calcium, vitamin D and protein; (ii) describe the importance of vegetables and selected nutrients, such as nitrate and vitamin K1, for muscle function and bone structural integrity; and (iii) highlight current evidence around different dietary patterns (e.g., plant-based, diet quality, data driven approaches) and their impact on musculoskeletal health.

Predictive validity of current sarcopenia definitions (EWGSOP2, SDOC, and AWGS2) for clinical outcomes: A scoping review

Over the last 3 years new definitions of sarcopenia by the Sarcopenia Definition and Outcome Consortium (2020, SDOC), European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (2019, EWGSOP2) and Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (2019, AWGS2) have been proposed. The objective of this scoping review was to explore predictive validity of these current sarcopenia definitions for clinical outcomes. We followed the PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews. Based on a systematic search performed by two independent reviewers of databases (Pubmed and Embase) articles comparing predictive validity of two or more sarcopenia definitions on prospective clinical outcomes published since January 2019 (the year these definitions were introduced) were included. Data were extracted and results collated by clinical outcomes and by sarcopenia definitions, respectively. Of 4493 articles screened, 11 studies (mean age of participants 77.6 (SD 5.7) years and 50.0% female) comprising 82 validity tests were included. Overall, validity tests on the following categories of clinical outcomes were performed: fracture (n = 40, assessed in one study), mortality (n = 18), function (n = 11), institutionalization (n = 7), falls (n = 4), and hospitalization (n = 2). Thereby, EWGSOP2 was investigated in 15 validity tests (18.3%) on all categories of clinical outcomes, whereas SDOC was investigated in four validity tests (4.9%) in one study on fractures in men only, and none of the validity tests investigated predictive validity by the AWGS2. However, we were not able to pool the data using a meta-analytic approach due to important methodological heterogeneity between the studies. We identified various definitions of clinical outcomes that were used to test predictive validity of sarcopenia definitions suggesting that an agreement on an operational definition of a clinical outcome is key to advance in the field of sarcopenia. Moreover, data on predictive validity using the sarcopenia definitions by the SDOC and AWGS2 are still scarce and lacking, respectively. In a next step, prospective studies including both women and men are needed to compare predictive validity of current sarcopenia definitions on defined key clinical outcomes.

Higher Dietary Vitamin K Intake is Associated with Better Physical Function and Lower Long-Term Injurious Falls Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Women

BACKGROUND

In recent years, a potential beneficial role of Vitamin K in neuromuscular function has been recognised. However, the optimal dietary intake of Vitamin K to support muscle function in the context of falls prevention remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship of dietary Vitamin K1 and K2 with muscle function and long-term injurious fall-related hospitalisations in older women.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

1347 community-dwelling older Australian women ≥70 years.

MEASUREMENTS

A new Australian Vitamin K nutrient database, supplemented with published data, was used to calculate Vitamin K1 and K2 intake from a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline (1998). Muscle function (grip strength and timed-up-and-go; TUG) as well plasma Vitamin D status (25OHD) were also assessed at baseline. Fall-related hospitalisations over 14.5 years were obtained from linked health records. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression and Cox-proportional hazard models were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

Over 14.5 years of follow-up (14,774 person-years), 535 (39.7%) women experienced a fall-related hospitalisation. Compared to women with the lowest Vitamin K1 intake (Quartile 1, median 49 µg/d), those with the highest intake (Quartile 4, median 120 µg/d) had 29% lower odds (OR 0.71 95%CI 0.52-0.97) for slow TUG performance (>10.2 s), and 26% lower relative hazards of a fall-related hospitalisation (HR 0.74 95%CI 0.59-0.93) after multivariable adjustment. These associations were non-linear and plateaued at moderate intakes of ~70-100 µg/d. There was no relation to grip strength. Vitamin K2 intakes were not associated with muscle function or falls.

CONCLUSION

A higher habitual Vitamin K1 intake was associated with better physical function and lower long-term injurious falls risk in community-dwelling older women. In the context of musculoskeletal health, Vitamin K1 found abundantly in green leafy vegetables should be promoted.

Measures of carotid atherosclerosis and fall-related hospitalization risk: The Perth Longitudinal Study of Ageing Women

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

We and others have identified links between cardiovascular conditions and poor musculoskeletal health. However, the relationship between measures of carotid atherosclerosis such as focal carotid plaque and common carotid intima media thickness (CCA-IMT) and falls remains understudied. This study examined the association between measures of carotid atherosclerosis and fall-related hospitalization over 11.5 years in community dwelling older women.

METHODS AND RESULTS

1116 older women recruited in 1998 to a five-year randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of calcium supplementation in preventing fracture and who had undertaken B-mode ultrasound in 2001 (three years after the baseline clinical visit) were included in this study. The participants were followed for over 11.5 years as Perth Longitudinal Study of Ageing Women (PLSAW). Over the follow up period, 428 (38.4%) women experienced a fall-related hospitalization. Older women with carotid plaque had 44% a higher relative hazard for fall-related hospitalization (HR 1.44; 95%CI, 1.18 to 1.76) compared to those without carotid plaque. The association persisted after adjustment for established falls risk factors such as measures of muscle strength and physical function.Each SD increase in the mean and maximum CCA-IMT was also associated with a higher risk of fall-related hospitalizations (HR 1.10; 95%CI, 1.00 to 1.21 and HR 1.11; 95%CI, 1.01 to 1.22, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Measures of carotid atherosclerosis are associated with a higher risk of fall-related hospitalization independent of established falls risk factors. These findings suggest the importance of vascular health when considering falls risk.

Sarcopenia definition: Does it really matter? Implications for resistance training

The loss of muscle mass, strength and function, known as sarcopenia, is common in older adults, and is associated with falls, fractures, cardiometabolic diseases, and lower quality of life. Sarcopenia can also occur secondarily to chronic diseases. Recently, sarcopenia was recognized as a disease with an International Classification of Disease (ICD) code, yet, at least five definitions for its clinical identification exist. Most definitions include three themes: low muscle mass, strength and physical performance. However, the definitions vary by the number of themes needed to diagnose sarcopenia and, within each theme various parameters and cut-off levels exist. The lack of consensus on what constitutes a diagnosis can create confusion and hesitation in sarcopenia diagnosis. Currently, no pharmacological treatment exists for sarcopenia. Resistance training (RT) is safe and effective to improve muscle mass, strength and physical performance in older adults and clinical populations. Based on current guidelines, whether an individual is defined as "sarcopenic", or not, does not change the way RT is prescribed. Here, we present evidence and the inconsistencies in sarcopenia definitions and recommend that focus should be on optimizing ways to prescribe RT and increase long-term adherence, rather than on slight modifications to sarcopenia definitions.

Creatinine to cystatin C ratio, a biomarker of sarcopenia measures and falls risk in community-dwelling older women

BACKGROUND

The ratio of creatinine to cystatin C (Cr:Cyc) has been proposed as a biomarker of sarcopenia, as greater Cr:Cyc is typically associated with greater muscle mass. We examined the relationship between Cr:Cyc with individual sarcopenia measures, 5 y self-reported falls and 12 y fall-related hospitalizations in a prospective cohort study of 1,118 community-dwelling older women (mean age 75.2 ± 2.7 y).

METHODS

Serum Cr:Cyc, hand grip strength and timed-up-and-go (TUG) performance were assessed at baseline (1998), while dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) derived ALM/Height (m) 2 was obtained in a subset of women at baseline and 1 year (n=334). Incident 5 y self-reported falls and 12-year falls-related hospitalizations were considered.

RESULTS

In a multivariable-adjusted model, women with the lowest Cr:Cyc (Quartile [Q] 1) had 5% (1.0 kg) weaker grip strength, as well as 3.7% (0.22 kg/m 2) and 5.5% (0.031) lower ALM adjusted for height 2 or BMI, respectively, compared to women in Q4 (all p<0.05). 329 women reported an incident fall over 5 years, and 326 fall-related hospitalizations were recorded over 12 years. Women in Q1 of Cr:Cyc had a greater relative hazard for a fall over 5 years (HR 1.50 95%CI 1.11-2.01) and fall-related hospitalization over 12 years (HR 1.53 95%CI 1.13-2.07) compared to Q4 in the multivariable-adjusted model.

CONCLUSION

These findings support further investigation into the use of Cr:Cyc as a muscle biomarker to help clinicians identify individuals at risk of falls for early inclusion into evidence-based primary prevention programs targeting improvements to diet and exercise.

Sarcopenia measurement in research and clinical practice

Sarcopenia is a disease related to accelerated loss of skeletal muscle and subsequent decline in functional capacity. It affects approximately 13% of the world's population aged over 60 years. Sarcopenia is primarily managed and prevented through a combination of exercise prescription combined with appropriate nutritional strategies. This review outlines diagnostic and case finding/screening tools for age-related (primary) sarcopenia used in research and clinical practice. Diagnostic tools critically reviewed include those of the: European Workgroup for Sarcopenia (EWGSOP) versions 1 and 2; Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) versions 1 and 2; Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH); and the Sarcopenia Definition and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC). Criteria used by diagnostic tools (muscle mass, muscle strength and physical functioning/performance) are also detailed. Case-finding tools include the SARC-F questionnaire, Ishii's formula and Goodman's screening grid. Additionally, this review discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each diagnostic and case-finding tool, and examines their ability to reliably predict adverse clinical outcomes and patient responses to potential therapies.

Three definitions of probable sarcopenia and associations with falls and functional disability among community-dwelling older adults

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prevalence of probable sarcopenia according to 3 different definitions ("strength, assistance with walking, rise from a chair, climb stairs, falls"- SARC-F score, low grip strength, and the guidelines indicated by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 - EWGSOP2) and assess the association of probable sarcopenia with functional disability and falls among community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with 419 older adults. Probable sarcopenia was assessed by 3 definitions: a SARC-F ≥ 4, low grip strength (< 27 kg for men and < 16 kg for women), and the EWGSOP2 criteria. Associations were investigated using Pearson's chi-square test and prevalence ratios were estimated by Poisson regression (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

Of the total, probable sarcopenia was identified in 23.0% of participants (SARC-F ≥ 4 score), 33.7% (low grip strength), and 10.4% (EWGSOP2) according to each different definition. In adjusted regression models, having at least 1 instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability and having fallen in the last 12 months were significantly associated with a SARC-F ≥ 4 (prevalence ratio, PR = 1.60; and PR = 2.50, respectively) and EWGSOP2 (PR = 1.78; and PR = 2.19, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

IADL disability and falls were associated with a SARC-F ≥ 4 and the EWGSOP2 criteria (SARC-F ≥ 4 and low grip strength). Probable sarcopenia may be used in clinical practice in order to facilitate the diagnosis of definite sarcopenia and to implement early interventions that could prevent functional decline and falls in older people.

Abdominal aortic calcification is associated with a higher risk of injurious fall-related hospitalizations in older Australian women

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS

Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is associated with weaker grip strength, an established risk factor for fall-related hospitalizations. However, its association with long-term fall-related hospitalisations remains unknown. This study investigated the association between AAC and long-term fall-related hospitalizations in community-dwelling older women.

METHODS

Fall-related hospitalizations were obtained from linked data over 14.5-years in a prospective cohort of 1053 older women (mean age 75.0 ± 2.6 years). At baseline (1998/99), AAC was assessed from lateral spine images obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and scored using a semi-quantitative method (AAC24, range 0-24). The presence of any AAC was defined by AAC24 ≥ 1.

RESULTS

Over 14.5-years, 413 (39.2%) women experienced a fall-related hospitalization. In the multivariable-adjusted model, each unit increase in baseline AAC24 was associated with a 3% increase in relative hazards for a fall-related hospitalization (HR 1.03 95%CI, 1.01 to 1.07). Compared to women with no AAC, women with any AAC had a 40% (HR 1.40 95%CI, 1.11 to 1.76) and 39% (HR 1.39 95%CI, 1.10 to 1.76) greater risk for fall-related hospitalizations in the minimal and multivariable-adjusted models, respectively. This relationship was not attenuated by including measures of muscle function such as grip strength and timed-up-and-go.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of AAC is associated with long-term fall-related hospitalizations risk, independent of muscle function, in community-dwelling older women. Concurrent assessment of AAC may be a simple and cost-effective way to identify older women at higher risk of falling as part of routine osteoporosis screening.

Dietary Nitrate Intake Is Positively Associated with Muscle Function in Men and Women Independent of Physical Activity Levels

BACKGROUND

Nitrate supplements can improve vascular and muscle function. Whether higher habitual dietary nitrate is associated with better muscle function remains underexplored.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to examine whether habitual dietary nitrate intake is associated with better muscle function in a prospective cohort of men and women, and whether the relation was dependent on levels of physical activity.

METHODS

The sample (n = 3759) was drawn from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity, and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab) (56% female; mean ± SD baseline age: 48.6 ± 11.1 y). Habitual dietary intake was assessed over 12 y by obtaining an average [of at least 2 time points, e.g., baseline (2000/2001) and 2004/2005 and/or 2011/2012] from a food-frequency questionnaire. Nitrate intake was calculated from a validated nitrate database and other published literature. Muscle function was quantified by knee extension strength (KES) and the 8-ft-timed-up-and-go (8ft-TUG) test performed in 2011/2012. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire. Generalized linear models and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Median (IQR) total nitrate intake was 65 (52-83) mg/d, with ∼81% derived from vegetables. Individuals in the highest tertile of nitrate intake (median intake: 91 mg/d) had 2.6 kg stronger KES (11%) and 0.24 s faster 8ft-TUG (4%) compared with individuals in the lowest tertile of nitrate intake (median intake: 47 mg/d; both P < 0.05). Similarly, individuals in the highest tertile of nitrate intake had lower odds for weak KES (adjusted OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.73) and slow 8ft-TUG (adjusted OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.78) compared with those in the lowest tertile. Physical activity did not influence the relationship between nitrate intake and muscle function (KES; P-interaction = 0.86; 8ft-TUG; P-interaction = 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher habitual dietary nitrate intake, predominantly from vegetables, could be an effective way to promote lower-limb muscle strength and physical function in men and women.

Predictive Value of DXA Appendicular Lean Mass for Incident Fractures, Falls, and Mortality, Independent of Prior Falls, FRAX, and BMD: Findings from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI)

In the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), we investigated associations between baseline dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) appendicular lean mass (ALM) and risk of incident fractures, falls, and mortality (separately for each outcome) among older postmenopausal women, accounting for bone mineral density (BMD), prior falls, and Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX® ) probability. The WHI is a prospective study of postmenopausal women undertaken at 40 US sites. We used an extension of Poisson regression to investigate the relationship between baseline ALM (corrected for height2 ) and incident fracture outcomes, presented here for major osteoporotic fracture (MOF: hip, clinical vertebral, forearm, or proximal humerus), falls, and death. Associations were adjusted for age, time since baseline and randomization group, or additionally for femoral neck (FN) BMD, prior falls, or FRAX probability (MOF without BMD) and are reported as gradient of risk (GR: hazard ratio for first incident fracture per SD increment) in ALM/height2 (GR). Data were available for 11,187 women (mean [SD] age 63.3 [7.4] years). In the base models (adjusted for age, follow-up time, and randomization group), greater ALM/height2 was associated with lower risk of incident MOF (GR = 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-0.94). The association was independent of prior falls but was attenuated by FRAX probability. Adjustment for FN BMD T-score led to attenuation and inversion of the risk relationship (GR = 1.06; 95% CI 0.98-1.14). There were no associations between ALM/height2 and incident falls. However, there was a 7% to 15% increase in risk of death during follow-up for each SD greater ALM/height2 , depending on specific adjustment. In WHI, and consistent with our findings in older men (Osteoporotic Fractures in Men [MrOS] study cohorts), the predictive value of DXA-ALM for future clinical fracture is attenuated (and potentially inverted) after adjustment for femoral neck BMD T-score. However, intriguing positive, but modest, associations between ALM/height2 and mortality remain robust. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Diagnosing sarcopenia at the point of imaging care: analysis of clinical, functional, and opportunistic CT metrics

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationship between CT-derived muscle metrics and standardized metrics of sarcopenia in patients undergoing routine CT imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data collected in 443 consecutive patients included body CT, grip strength, usual gait speed, and responses to SARC-F and FRAIL scale questionnaires. Functional and clinical metrics of sarcopenia were acquired at the time of CT. Metrics were analyzed using the diagnostic framework of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2). The skeletal muscle index (SMI) and skeletal muscle density (SMD) were measured at the T12 and L3 levels. Statistical methods include linear prediction models and ROC analysis.

RESULTS

T12-SMD and L3-SMD in women and T12-SMD and L3-SMI in men show weak but significant (p < 0.05) predictive value for gait speed, after adjusting for subject age and body mass index. The prevalence of abnormal CT SMI at T12 and L3 was 29% and 71%, respectively, corresponding to prevalences of confirmed sarcopenia by EWGSOP2 of 10% and 15%, respectively. The agreement of abnormal SARC-F and FRAIL scale screening and EWGSOP2 confirmed sarcopenia was slight to fair (kappa: 0.20-0.28). CT cutpoints, based on EWGSOP2 criteria for abnormal grip strength or gait speed, are generally lower than cutpoints based on normative population data.

CONCLUSION

Collection of clinical and functional sarcopenia information at the point of imaging care can be accomplished quickly and safely. CT-derived muscle metrics show convergent validity with gait speed. Only a minority of subjects with low CT metrics have confirmed sarcopenia by EWGSOP2 definition.

Relation between risk of falls, sarcopenia and parameters assessing quality of skeletal muscles in a group of postmenopausal women

Introduction

Involutional changes that occur in skeletal muscle are a feature that characterizes the aging process. In women, age-related decreases in muscle mass and function of skeletal muscles occur more rapidly with the onset of menopause. Progressive muscle dysfunction has been directly linked with an increased probability of falls, fractures, disability and mortality.

Aim of the study

To assess the relationship between the risk of falls and parameters of skeletal muscle assessment in a group of postmenopausal women together with the identification of patients with sarcopenia.

Material and methods

This study was carried among 122 women over 60 years of age. Patients had their muscular system tested with the emphasis on the sarcopenia diagnosis using: Total Body Composition, handgrip and physical performance tests. Patients also underwent a questionnaire survey assessing occurrence of falls.

Results

The analysis showed an over 2-fold increase (OR 2.4; 95% CI, 1.02-5.56) in risk of falls in a year among subjects with decreased muscle mass. No such correlation was noted with parameters such as falls in the last 12 months and decrease of muscle strength as well as physical performance. Sarcopenia is more likely to be diagnosed with European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP1) criteria than EWGSOP2 (updated in 2018) (18% vs. 4.1% respectively). The increased risk of falls has not been proven in women with sarcopenia.

Conclusions

The decrease of muscle mass is significantly correlated with the risk of falls in the last year in postmenopausal women. Impact of sarcopenia on the risk of falls depends on diagnostic criteria.

FRAX score and recent fall history predict the incidence for sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults: a prospective cohort study

We hypothesized that the baseline FRAX score and previous falls would predict the incidence of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults who received medical check-ups. The FRAX score (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.087, 95% CI 1.014-1.167) and previous falls (HR = 5.181, 95% CI 1.002-26.777) were determined to be independent risk factors for the incidence of sarcopenia.

PURPOSE

This prospective study was performed to elucidate the prevalence and incidence of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults who received medical check-ups, and to determine whether FRAX score and fall history predict the incidence of sarcopenia.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from a group of individuals who had registered for an annual town-sponsored medical check-up. Study inclusion criteria were aged older than 60 years, living independently, and ability to walk without assistance. Individuals who received nursing care were excluded from the study. A total of 426 residential participants were analyzed. Demographic information, fall history of the previous year, and FRAX score without bone mineral density were assessed. The assessment for sarcopenia was based on the recommendations of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia.

RESULTS

The final sample for the assessment of sarcopenia incidence comprised 258 participants. The mean follow-up time was 2.92 years. The rate of sarcopenia was 1.06 cases per 100 person-years at risk. The Cox multivariate logistic regression model in our analysis was adjusted for age, gender, muscle mass, and covariates and showed that the FRAX score (HR = 1.087, 95% CI 1.014-1.167) and recent history of falls (HR = 5.181, 95% CI 1.002-26.777) were independent risk factors for the incidence of sarcopenia.

CONCLUSION

FRAX and history of falling can be a simple screening tool to raise awareness of the prevention of osteoporosis and sarcopenia in clinical settings.

The handgrip strength threshold of 16 kg discriminates successful rehabilitation: A prospective short-term study of 258 women with hip fracture

AIM

In 2019 the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) indicated weakness as the key characteristic of sarcopenia and released the threshold of 16 kg for handgrip strength to define weakness in women. We aimed to externally validate the 16 kg cut-off point for predicting functional recovery in 258 women with subacute hip fracture admitted to our rehabilitation ward.

METHODS

We assessed handgrip strength by a hand-grip Jamar dynamometer at admission to inpatient rehabilitation and functional ability in activities of daily living by the Barthel index at the end of the rehabilitation course. Successful rehabilitation was defined with a Barthel index score ≥85 and highest possible recovery with a Barthel index effectiveness = 100 %.

RESULTS

A handgrip strength ≥16 kg significantly predicted both successful rehabilitation (χ2 = 23.5, P < 0.001) and highest possible recovery (χ2 = 31.05, P < 0.001). For the women with a handgrip strength ≥16 kg, the odds ratios to gain successful rehabilitation and highest possible recovery were 2.68 (95 % CI from 1.19 to 6.04; P = 0.018) and 2.81 (95 % CI from 1.47 to 5.37; P = 0.002), after adjustment for Barthel index scores before rehabilitation, age, hip-fracture type (either medial or lateral), cognitive impairment and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide an external validation of the 16 kg handgrip strength threshold recently released to discriminate functional outcomes: it significantly predicted the short-term ability to perform activities of daily living after hip fracture in women.

Health, Functional and Nutritional Determinants of Falls Experienced in the Previous Year-A Cross-Sectional Study in a Geriatric Ward

Falls are a serious health problem in older adults. A limited number of studies assessed their multifactorial nature in geriatric ward patients. The aim of this study is to explore health, functional and nutritional correlates of experiencing fall(s) in the previous year by older inpatients. A cross-sectional study of patients admitted to the department of geriatrics was conducted. A "faller status" was defined based on positive history of falls in the previous 12 months. Health, functional and nutritional factors associated with falls were evaluated, and multivariable logistic regression analysis models were built. A total of 358 patients (median age 82 (IQR 76-86) years, 77.9% women) were recruited, 43.9% of whom reported falls. The "fallers" presented with a significantly higher number of chronic diseases, higher prevalence of Parkinson's disease, peripheral arterial disease, chronic osteoarthritis, more frequently reported urinary incontinence and were dependent on others for daily living activities. They had significantly worse results for the assessment of gait, balance and frailty status. The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form scores and the mean value of serum albumin were significantly lower in the fallers' group. Parkinson's disease (OR = 2.82, CI-1.07-7.45; p = 0.04) and osteoarthritis (OR = 2.08, CI-1.02-4.23; p = 0.04) were the main variables for the outcome prediction, according to the direct multivariable logistic regression analysis. Our findings suggest that Parkinson's disease and osteoarthritis are the main predictors independently associated with a history of falls in patients admitted to the geriatric ward, although the influence of some factors may be underestimated due to the tendency of not taking the history of falls in very frail, functionally dependent and bedridden individuals.

Physical capability markers used to define sarcopenia and their association with cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes and all-cause mortality: A prospective study from UK Biobank

INTRODUCTION

It is unclear what combinations of physical capability markers used to define sarcopenia have the strongest associations with health outcomes.

AIM

To compare the associations between different combinations of physical capability markers of sarcopenia with cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes and all-cause mortality.

STUDY DESIGN

469,830 UK Biobank participants were included in this prospective study. Four groups were derived based on combinations of three physical capability markers used to define sarcopenia or severe sarcopenia: gait speed, grip strength and muscle mass. Outcomes studied were all-cause mortality, as well as incidence and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

RESULTS

All combinations of physical capability markers used to define sarcopenia or severe sarcopenia identified individuals at increased risk of respiratory disease and all-cause mortality. However, the definition most strongly associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes was the combination of slow gait speed plus low muscle mass, followed by severe sarcopenia, and the combination of slow gait speed plus low grip strength. The current definition of sarcopenia (low grip strength plus low muscle mass) had the weakest associations with all-cause (HR: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.07 to 1.71]) and respiratory mortality (HR: 1.88 [95% CI: 1.15 to 3.10]), as well as respiratory disease (HR: 1.38 [95% CI: 1.11 to 1.73]) and COPD incidence (HR: 2.08 [95% CI: 1.14 to 3.79]).

CONCLUSIONS

Associations of sarcopenia with adverse outcomes were strongest when sarcopenia was defined as slow gait speed plus low muscle mass, followed by severe sarcopenia, suggesting that this combination of physical capability markers should be still considered in the diagnosis of sarcopenia.

Effects of Leucine Administration in Sarcopenia: A Randomized and Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

Treating sarcopenia in older individuals remains a challenge, and nutritional interventions present promising approaches in individuals that perform limited physical exercise. We assessed the efficacy of leucine administration to evaluate whether the regular intake of this essential amino acid can improve muscle mass, muscle strength and functional performance and respiratory muscle function in institutionalized older individuals. The study was a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind design in fifty participants aged 65 and over (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03831399). The participants were randomized to a parallel group intervention of 13 weeks’ duration with a daily intake of leucine (6 g/day) or placebo (lactose, 6 g/day). The primary outcome was to study the effect on sarcopenia and respiratory muscle function. The secondary outcomes were changes in the geriatric evaluation scales, such as cognitive function, functional impairment and nutritional assessments. We also evaluated whether leucine administration alters blood analytical parameters and inflammatory markers. Administration of leucine was well-tolerated and significantly improves some criteria of sarcopenia in elderly individuals such as functional performance measured by walking time (p = 0.011), and improved lean mass index. For respiratory muscle function, the leucine-treated group improved significantly (p = 0.026) in maximum static expiratory force compared to the placebo. No significant effects on functional impairment, cognitive function or nutritional assessment, inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-alpha were observed after leucine administration compared to the placebo. The use of l-leucine supplementation can have some beneficial effects on sarcopenia and could be considered for the treatment of sarcopenia in older individuals.

Lower-limb muscle strength: normative data from an observational population-based study

BACKGROUND

The extent of muscle deterioration associated with ageing or disease can be quantified by comparison with appropriate reference data. The objective of this study is to present normative data for lower-limb muscle strength and quality for 573 males and 923 females aged 20-97 yr participating in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study in southeastern Australia.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, measures of muscle strength for hip flexors and hip abductors were obtained using a Nicholas manual muscle tester, a hand-held dynamometer (HHD; kg). Leg lean mass was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA; kg), and muscle quality calculated as strength/mass (N/kg).

RESULTS

For both sexes, muscle strength and quality decreased with advancing age. Age explained 12.9-25.3% of the variance in muscle strength in males, and 20.8-24.6% in females; age explained less of the variance in muscle quality. Means and standard deviations for muscle strength and quality for each muscle group are reported by age-decade for each sex, and cutpoints equivalent to T-scores of - 2.0 and - 1.0 were derived using data from young males (n = 89) and females (n = 148) aged 20-39 years.

CONCLUSIONS

These data will be useful for quantifying the extent of dynapenia and poor muscle quality among adults in the general population in the face of frailty, sarcopenia and other age-related muscle dysfunction.

Combined Effect of Osteoporosis and Poor Dynamic Balance on the Incidence of Sarcopenia in Elderly Chinese Community Suburban-Dwelling Individuals

OBJECTIVES

Given the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis and the important role dynamic balanced plays in the assessment of muscle function, we aimed to examine the joint and separate effects of osteoporosis and poor dynamic balance on the incidence of sarcopenia in Chinese elderly individuals.

DESIGN

This study was conducted on 658 (44.4% male) Chinese suburban-dwelling participants with a mean age of 68.42 ± 5.43 years who initially had no sarcopenia and were aged ≥60 years. A quantitative ultrasound scan of each participant's calcaneus with a T score less than -2.5 was used to identify the prevalence of osteoporosis. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. We assessed dynamic balance using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). Participants who scored in the top 20% on the TUGT were defined as having poor dynamic balance.

RESULTS

After a follow-up of three years, the incidence of sarcopenia in the general population was 8.1% (9.6% in males, 6.8% in females). The incidence of sarcopenia was progressively greater in people suffering from both osteoporosis and poor dynamic balance (OR=2.416, 95%CI=1.124-5.195) compared to those who only had osteoporosis (OR=0.797, 95%CI=0.378-1.682) or poor dynamic balance (OR=1.226, 95%CI=0.447-3.363) in models without adjustments. Even after adjusting for potential confounders, the result still held true (OR=2.431, 95%CI=1.053-5.614).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, we found individuals who suffered from both osteoporosis and poor dynamic balance simultaneously had a significantly higher incidence of sarcopenia than those who suffered from either one or the other.

Sarcopenia for predicting falls and hospitalization in community-dwelling older adults: EWGSOP versus EWGSOP2

The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) recently published an updated version (EWGSOP2). We aimed to compare the predictive values of EWGSOP-defined and EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia for the incidence of falls and hospitalization in older adults. We defined sarcopenia according to the EWGSOP and the EWGSOP2. We further modified the cut-off points of the EWGSOP and EWGSOP2 according to the lowest quintile values of the gender-specific distribution of our study population, named "modified EWGSOP" and "modified EWGSOP2", respectively. We included 384 participants. During the follow-up, 98 participants (26.5%) and 51 participants (13.8%) had at least one fall or hospitalization, respectively. EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-1.84) and modified EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia (HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.23-3.55) were significantly associated with an increased incidence of falls, respectively. EWGSOP-defined sarcopenia and modified EWGSOP-defined sarcopenia also have a trend to be associated with the incidence of falls, but the results were not statistically significant. Only modified EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.01-4.27) was significantly related to an increased incidence of hospitalization. In conclusion, EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia performed more sensitive than EWGSOP-defined sarcopenia for predicting the incidence of falls or hospitalization, especially when using the modified cutoffs.

Beneficial Effects of Leucine Supplementation on Criteria for Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review

Objective: Treating sarcopenia remains a challenge, and nutritional interventions present promising approaches. We summarize the effects of leucine supplementation in treating older individuals with sarcopenia associated with aging or to specific disorders, and we focus on the effect of leucine supplementation on various sarcopenia criteria, e.g., muscular strength, lean mass, and physical performance. Methods: A literature search for articles related to this topic was performed on the relevant databases, e.g., the PubMed/Medline, Embase, EBSCO, Cochrane, Lilacs, and Dialnet. The identified articles were reviewed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Of the 163 articles we consulted, 23 met our inclusion criteria, analysing the effect of leucine or leucine-enriched protein in the treatment of sarcopenia, and 13 of these studies were based on randomized and placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). In overall terms, the published results show that administration of leucine or leucine-enriched proteins (range 1.2–6 g leucine/day) is well-tolerated and significantly improves sarcopenia in elderly individuals, mainly by improving lean muscle-mass content and in this case most protocols also include vitamin D co-administration. The effect of muscular strength showed mix results, and the effect on physical performance has seldom been studied. For sarcopenia-associated with specific disorders, the most promising effects of leucine supplementation are reported for the rehabilitation of post-stroke patients and in those with liver cirrhosis. Further placebo-controlled trials will be necessary to determine the effects of leucine and to evaluate sarcopenia with the criteria recommended by official Working Groups, thereby limiting the variability of methodological issues for sarcopenia measurement across studies.