As we age, changes in body composition occur, including loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia). The aging process leads to a deterioration of physical capacity due to changes in the musculoskeletal system, including loss of muscle and bone mass, as well as loss of tissue elasticity. All of this results in reduced muscle strength and quality. Dr. Monty Calle, geriatrician of our clinic, gives us more information about this syndrome.

What is sarcopenia?

• Sarcopenia is a complex syndrome related to the loss of muscle mass, either in isolation or accompanied by an increase in fat mass (which tends to accumulate between muscle fibers, affecting muscle quality).
• The prevalence of sarcopenia is between 5 and 40% and increases exponentially with age. In people aged 70 years, it is between 5 and 13%, while in people over 80 years it ranges between 11 and 50%.

How is it diagnosed?

Its diagnosis involves the evaluation of muscle mass (by bioimpedance or body composition densitometry), muscle strength (which can be measured with a dynamometer or the sit-to-stand test) and functionality or physical performance (which can be evaluated with the gait speed test, stand-and-walk test, stair climbing test or the 400-meter walk test).

Why is it important to know if I have sarcopenia?

• Sarcopenia plays an important role in the development of frailty and deterioration of functional capacity in the elderly, which can lead to increased dependency, hospitalizations, increased risk of falls and thus fractures. Its prevention and treatment can reduce mortality.
• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in muscle and bone metabolism. In older people with low vitamin D levels, proximal muscle weakness has been observed, which manifests itself in difficulty getting up from a chair or climbing stairs.

What can I do to prevent or treat sarcopenia?

• We can summarize it by maintaining an adequate diet and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.
• Physical activity prevents the loss of bone mass (reduces the probability of fractures), coronary diseases, hypertension (aerobic exercise reduces blood pressure), diabetes, depression, etc.
• Active people have a lower elevation of LDL cholesterol (known as “bad”) and a lower decrease of HDL cholesterol (known as “good”) compared to sedentary people of the same age.

Remember:

See your geriatrician regularly to rule out any type of illness that could jeopardize your health and well-being or that of your loved ones.

Dr. Monty Calle
Geriatrician at Clínica Ricardo Palma