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Sarcopenia: a predictor of mortality and the need for early diagnosis and intervention

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Abstract

The term sarcopenia refers to the loss of muscle mass that occurs with aging. Sarcopenia is defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) as low muscle mass and low muscle function (strength and performance). Its prevalence varies depending on the definition used for it, but estimates propose a loss of approximately 8 % per decade until the age of 70 years; afterwards, the loss increases and ranges from 13 to 24 % per decade. Irrespective of how sarcopenia is defined, both low muscle mass and poor muscle strength are highly prevalent and important risk factors for disability and increased mortality in individuals as they age. In this review, we address age-related muscle loss and the risk factors of mortality, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mestrado em Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Centro Universitário La Salle, Canoas, RS, Brazil

    Lidiane Isabel Filippin

  2. Centro Universitário La Salle, Canoas, RS, Brazil

    Lidiane Isabel Filippin, Magali Pilz Monteiro da Silva, Fernanda Miraglia & Fabiano Silva da Silva

  3. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Vivian Nunes de Oliveira Teixeira

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  1. Lidiane Isabel Filippin
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  2. Vivian Nunes de Oliveira Teixeira
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  3. Magali Pilz Monteiro da Silva
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  4. Fernanda Miraglia
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  5. Fabiano Silva da Silva
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Correspondence to Lidiane Isabel Filippin.

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Filippin, L.I., Teixeira, V.N.d.O., da Silva, M.P.M. et al. Sarcopenia: a predictor of mortality and the need for early diagnosis and intervention. Aging Clin Exp Res 27, 249–254 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-014-0281-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-014-0281-4

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