C. Beaudart, J.Y. Reginster, J. Petermans, S. Gillain, A. Quabron, M. Locquet, J. Slomian, F. Buckinx, O. Bruyère

Experimental Gerontology .2015;69: 103–110

The SarcoPhAge (Sarcopenia and Physical impairment with advancing Age) project is 5-years prospective longitudinal study of 534 voluntary Belgian community-dwelling elderly subjects (aged 65 years and older). The objective is to assess prevalence of sarcopenia and clinical components using the diagnosis algorithm developed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP).

In the baseline evaluation the prevalence of sarcopenia was of 13.7% (14.9% in women and 11.8% in men).

Sarcopenic subjects were older and more often malnourished; they had a lower Body Mass Index (BMI), lower calf, waist, wrist and arm circumferences, they presented more cognitive impairments (Mini-MentalStateExamination), more comorbidities and they consumed more drugs. With regard to the physical functioning, sarcopenic subjects had a worse physical health-related quality of life (SF-36), were at higher risk of falls (Timed Up and Go test) and more frail (Fried), they presented more often tiredness for the achievement of activities of daily living (Mobility-test), less fat mass and obviously less lean mass.

Sarcopenic women were also more dependent for housekeeping and handling finances (Lawton scale) than non-sarcopenic ones.

In conclusion, sarcopenia seems to be associated with many harmful clinical components making this geriatric syndrome a real public health burden. Follow-up data of the SarcoPhAge study will be helpful to assess the outcomes of sarcopenia based on the EWGSOP diagnosis algorithm and its different proposed cut-offs.