When viewing this topic in a different language, you may notice some differences in the way the content is structured, but it still reflects the latest evidence-based guidance.

Sarcopenia

Last reviewed: 5 Oct 2024
Last updated: 27 Sep 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • low hand grip strength
  • difficulty rising from chair
  • difficulty climbing stairs
  • slow gait
  • emaciation
  • difficulty performing activities of daily living
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • presence of comorbidities affecting muscle mass and/or function
Full details

Risk factors

  • age ≥65 years
  • low or high body mass index (BMI)
  • sedentary lifestyle
  • low protein intake
  • falls
  • smoking
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • serum electrolytes
  • blood glucose
  • LFTs
  • renal function tests
  • thyroid function tests
  • CBC
  • serum vitamin D
  • dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
  • CT
  • MRI
Full details

Tests to consider

  • bioimpedance analysis (BIA)
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

all patients

Contributors

Authors

Gustavo Duque, MD, PhD

Professor

Faculty of Medicine

McGill University

Quebec

Canada

Disclosures

GD serves as a member of the Advisory Boards of Abbott Australia and TSI Pharmaceuticals. He also belongs to the speakers' bureau for Amgen and Abbott Australia. These companies produce therapeutic compounds that have demonstrated an effect on sarcopenia

Guy Hajj-Boutros, PhD(c)

PhD candidate

Division of Experimental Medicine

McGill University

Quebec

Canada

Disclosures

GHB declares that he has no competing interests.

José A. Morais, MD

Professor

Faculty of Medicine

McGill University

Quebec

Canada

Disclosures

JAM has received fees from Sanofi for clinical expertise on Fluzone vaccine. He is a member of the Board of the Fonds de Recherche du Québec. He has performed contracted research for the Canadian Space Agency. JAM has also received operating grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Peer reviewers

Stephanie Anne Studenski, MD, MPH

Professor Emeritus

Department of Medicine

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

PA

Disclosures

SAS declares that she has no competing interests.

Miles Witham, PhD

Professor of Trials for Older People and consultant geriatrician

NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre

Newcastle University

Newcastle

UK

Disclosures

MW declares that he has no competing interests.

  • Differentials

    • Parkinson disease
    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
    • Myopathy
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis
    • International clinical practice guidelines for sarcopenia (ICFSR): screening, diagnosis and management
    More Guidelines
  • padlock-lockedLog in or subscribe to access all of BMJ Best Practice

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer