Sarcopenia is a multifaceted condition affecting between 10 and 16% of the global population, and although multiple classification algorithms exist, no prevalence has been reported for a representative sample of the Slovenian population. Furthermore, multiple behavioural factors, such as malnutrition, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle and lower cognitive function, can contribute to the risk of sarcopenia. This study aims to: a) determine sarcopenia prevalence among Slovenian older adults according to different classification algorithms, b) compare the agreement among the algorithms and c) evaluate the relationship between proposed risk factors and sarcopenia.

654 participants (≥60 years, 30.4% males) have been classified into sarcopenia groups according to eight algorithms, and agreement (Fleiss K) between them was calculated. Additionally, age, sex, nutritional status, physical activity, sedentary levels and cognitive function were assessed as sarcopenia risk/protective factors.

The prevalence of sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 was 4.1%, ranging from 2.1% to 15.3%, when classified by all eight algorithms. Overall agreement between algorithms was weak (K=.429; 95% CI .414 to .444) with 0.6% of participants classified as sarcopenic by all eight algorithms. Adequate nutrition and physical activity were identified as protective factors, while age, lower cognitive function and sedentary lifestyle were considered risk factors.

Sarcopenia prevalence among the Slovenian general population was lower than in the global population. We can conclude that different sarcopenia algorithms lead to a different prevalence of sarcopenia. It is of great importance to be cautious when comparing prevalences among studies and to further validate the classification algorithms.

Pain, cognitive impairment, and sarcopenia share common risk factors and neurophysiological processes, but studies investigating cognition and sarcopenia in older adults with pain are scarce. This study's main aim was to compare cognition and sarcopenia between older adults with and without chronic pain. A secondary aim was to investigate predictors of cognition and sarcopenia at baseline and 3 months while adjusting for confounders. Participants (67 older adults with pain and 67 asymptomatic older adults) were assessed for sociodemographic and clinical information, pain (number of painful body sites - body chart, pain phenotype - PainDETECT, severity and disability - BPI, pain catastrophizing - PCS, and kinesiophobia - Tampa Scale), cognition (MoCA), sarcopenia (risk of sarcopenia - SARC-F, hand grip strength, and calf circumference) and physical activity (RAPA) at baseline and 3 months after. Older adults with and without pain did not differ in cognition (Mean (95% CI): Pain = 21.47 (20.60; 22.34); Asymptomatic = 21.75 (20.89; 22.61)), but older adults with pain had greater signs of sarcopenia than asymptomatic older adults, including higher risk of sarcopenia (Mean (95%CI): Pain=2.89 (2.41; 3.37); Asymptomatic=0.50 (0.32; 0.68)) and lower hand grip strength (Pain=24.01 (21.74; 26.29); Asymptomatic=27.98 (25.80; 30.16)). No between-group differences were found for calf circumference (Pain=35.03 (34.26; 35.79); Asymptomatic=34.55 (33.86; 35.24)). Pain phenotype (baseline) and kinesiophobia (3 months) contributed to poorer cognition. Kinesiophobia and catastrophizing (baseline), and pain severity (3 months) contributed to sarcopenia. Despite no differences in cognition between older adults with and without pain, pain-related variables contributed to explaining sarcopenia and cognition. PERSPECTIVE: This study compared cognition and sarcopenia between older adults with and without pain and explored the association between pain, cognition, and sarcopenia. Groups were similar for cognition, but older adults with pain showed higher signs of sarcopenia. Kinesiophobia and pain severity partially explained cognition and sarcopenia among those with pain.

Sarcopenia predicts worse postoperative outcomes and lower survival rates in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). There is a scarcity of studies on the most effective assessment tools for detecting sarcopenia in preoperative elderly patients with CRC. Our objective was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of various tools such as calf circumference (CC), strength, need for assistance with walking, rising from a sitting position, climbing stairs, and the incidence of falls (SARC-F), SARC-F plus CC (SARC-CalF), the short version of mini sarcopenia risk assessment (MSRA-5), the full version of mini sarcopenia risk assessment (MSRA-7), and Ishii score chart in screening sarcopenia in preoperative elderly patients with CRC.

During the period of April 2021 to September 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving consecutive elderly patients who were undergoing colorectal surgery. Sarcopenia was defined using the diagnostic criteria proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) and the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS2019). The screening tools' performances were evaluated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the ROC curves (AUC), and sensitivity/specificity analyses, based on the criteria proposed by EWGSOP2 and AWGS2019.

We enrolled 482 patients with an average age of 71.86 ± 5.60 years. According to the EWGSOP2 and AWGS2019 diagnostic standards, the incidence of sarcopenia was 19.5% and 21.6% respectively. The sensitivity of SARC-F, SARC-CalF, MSRA-5, MSRA-7, and Ishii score chart ranged from 51.92 to 56.38%, 84.62-85.11%, 86.54-88.30%, 65.96-67.31%, and 73.08-74.47% respectively, while the specificity ranged from 84.92 to 85.05%, 70.36-71.69%, 36.86-37.04%, 60.57-61.64%, and 77.32-78.31% respectively. Regardless of the sarcopenia diagnostic criteria used, the AUCs of Ishii score chart (0.87 to 0.88) and SARC-CalF (0.89 to 0.90) were significantly larger than those of other tools (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in AUCs among SARC-F, SARC-CalF, and Ishii score chart in females.

Among the five sarcopenia screening tools, Ishii score chart and SARC-CalF had the largest overall diagnostic accuracy for sarcopenia in preoperative elderly patients with CRC.

Understanding sarcopenia is becoming increasingly important as society ages. This comprehensive review covers the definition, epidemiology, causes, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, management, and future directions for the management of sarcopenia, and the major issues related to sarcopenia in the knee joint.

Sarcopenia, a condition related to aging, is characterized by decreased muscle mass and strength, which significantly affects physical function. Its prevalence may vary by region and age, with reports of up to 50% prevalence in the elderly population. The potential causes of sarcopenia include neurodegeneration, poor nutrition, changes in hormonal effects, elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and reduced activation of muscle satellite cells. Various pathogeneses, such as apoptosis, proteolysis, and inhibition of the signaling for increasing muscle mass, contribute to the development of sarcopenia. Generally, the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia are based on reduced muscle mass, reduced muscle strength, and decreased physical performance, and can be assessed using various equipment and clinical tests. A healthy lifestyle consisting of a balanced diet, sufficient protein intake, and regular exercise is recommended to prevent sarcopenia. The management of sarcopenia involves resistance exercise, proper nutrition, and deprescribing from polypharmacy. In the future, pharmacological treatment and personalized nutrition may become alternative management options for sarcopenia. Finally, since sarcopenia can be associated with knee osteoarthritis and poor outcomes after total knee arthroplasty, appropriate management of sarcopenia is important for physicians treating knee-related conditions.

Sarcopenia is a significant pathological condition that needs to be recognized, especially in the older population. Although sarcopenia is common as aging occurs, it can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. Currently, there are no approved drugs for sarcopenia; however, resistance exercise and proper nutritional supplementation are essential methods for managing sarcopenic conditions. Given its diverse causes, a personalized approach may be necessary to effectively manage sarcopenia. Finally, appropriate management of sarcopenia can contribute to the prevention and effective treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Despite adverse metabolic and functional consequences of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), clinical recommendations for weight loss (WL) in older adults (65+ years) with obesity remain controversial. Reluctance stems partly from epidemiologic data demonstrating musculoskeletal tissue loss with WL and increased risk of disability and osteoporotic fracture. Randomized controlled trials in older adults complement and extend knowledge in this area showing: (1) lifestyle-based WL interventions often yield clinically meaningful (~8%-10%) WL in older adults; (2) lean mass loss is significant, although fat mass loss is preferential and physical performance is often improved, particularly when combined with aerobic and resistance training (RT); (3) bone loss is also significant, with some evidence that RT can attenuate WL-associated bone loss; and (4) fat mass regain after intervention cessation is common, yet physical performance gains appear to be maintained. Best practices for treating older adults with obesity include comprehensive assessment of baseline musculoskeletal health; patient-centered goal setting; moderate (i.e., -500 kcal/day) caloric restriction ensuring protein (1-1.2 g/kg/day), calcium (1000-1200 mg/day), and vitamin D (800-1000 IU/day) needs are met; incorporation of RT (≥2 days/week) and moderate-intensity weight-bearing aerobic training (≥150 min/week); and delivery of care by a multidisciplinary team.

Sarcopenia, defined as the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, is largely prevalent but still clinically underrecognized among patients undergoing chronic dialysis therapy. The pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic acidosis, hormonal imbalances, protein waste, malnutrition, and reduced physical activity. This multifactorial condition profoundly impairs quality of life and may lead to significant clinical consequences, including frailty, an increased risk of falls and hospitalization, and elevated mortality. Despite its clinical relevance, sarcopenia often remains underdiagnosed due to inconsistent diagnostic criteria and challenges in assessing body composition in dialysis populations. Therapeutic strategies, including tailored exercise programs, nutritional interventions, and pharmacological treatments, are essential to mitigate muscle loss and improve patient outcomes. Early identification and routine sarcopenia assessment in clinical practice could play a pivotal role in enhancing the management of dialysis patients. A multidisciplinary, personalized approach is necessary to address the diverse factors contributing to sarcopenia and to improve the overall prognosis and quality of life for this vulnerable population.

Sarcopenia-associated lifestyle factors are not fully recognised. Community nurses could identify such factors and promote intervention strategies, mitigating the risk of sarcopenia.

To investigate the health indicators and lifestyle factors that have an impact on increased sarcopenia risk among older adults in the community.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with data collected using a structured questionnaire. The SARC-F questionnaire was used for the risk assessment of sarcopenia. The Barthel index, Fatigue Severity Scale, Visual Analogue Scale and Athens Insomnia Scale were used to assess functionality, fatigue and sleep. The duration of sleep was self-reported. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the data analysis.

A total of 100 subjects (median age=72.50 years) were included in this pilot study. Among the participants, 19% were identified as being at risk for sarcopenia. Functionality, fatigue and sleep difficulties predicted the risk for sarcopenia.

Community nurses could identify older adults at risk of sarcopenia by recognising the associated factors in everyday life.

Nurses in community settings could contribute to the prevention, early detection, slow progression or even potential reversal of sarcopenia by identifying, evaluating and addressing related factors to sarcopenia in the daily lives of community-dwelling older adults. Conducting routine screenings for muscle strength and function, promoting targeted exercise programmes and providing nutritional guidance to support muscle health can make a significant difference. Nurses and other healthcare professionals can collaborate to develop personalised intervention plans to provide comprehensive care to older adults for mobility and independence.

The short physical performance battery (SPPB) is a widely used clinical assessment tool to evaluate physical function in older adults. However, the manual measurement of the SPPB presents difficulties in terms of standardization and accessibility. To address these limitations, an earphone-shaped SPPB assessment device, named B-Lab, was developed. To validate the device, 45 healthy participants aged 60 years and older were recruited, and the SPPB results obtained through the B-Lab were compared with those from the manual method. Results showed high agreement between the two methods, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.87 and 0.68 for the first and second trials, respectively. The reliability of the B-Lab was also comparable to that of the manual method. Overall, the B-Lab showed potential as an alternative for assessing SPPB scores. It enables patients to assess their physical function without hospital visits, and is expected to contribute to the development of a more effective healthcare environment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the health screening procedure for home-dwelling older adults in reducing emergency department visits and associated costs.

Data were derived from health screenings from 2020 to 2021 for 75-year-old home-dwelling residents of Western Finland. The study compared emergency department visits and associated costs between older adults who participated in the health screening (intervention group) and those who did not (non-intervention group). For each older adult, three non-intervention controls were matched according to age, sex, health screening year and wellbeing service county. Emergency department visits and International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes from one year before to two years after health screening were analyzed.

In the non-intervention group, a 19% increase in emergency visit rates was seen (457-564 per 1000 person-years), while the intervention group showed a 67% decrease (165-23). Annual costs for the non-intervention group increased from 148 euros (€) to €183, a mean ratio increase of 1.24 per person-year (range 1.08-1.40). In contrast, the intervention group's costs decreased from €53 to €8, a mean reduction ratio of 0.15 per person-year (range 0.10-0.71). The intervention group had lower frequency of visits for respiratory and circulatory diseases but higher for digestive and metabolic diseases, unlike the non-intervention group.

The implementation of the health screening is an effective strategy for reducing both the frequency of emergency department visits and associated costs in home-dwelling older adults in good condition.

Sarcopenia, characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, is a prevalent but often overlooked condition in patients with cancer who are terminally ill. It contributes to functional decline, increased symptom burden, and reduced quality of life, yet remains underrecognized in palliative care. Diagnosing sarcopenia in this population is challenging because conventional imaging techniques are often impractical. Instead, alternative assessments, such as the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls questionnaire (SARC-F), anthropometric measurements, and bioelectrical impedance analysis offer feasible options. Management should focus on symptom relief, functional preservation, and patient comfort, rather than on muscle mass restoration. Nutritional support must be tailored to prognosis, with aggressive interventions generally avoided during end-of-life care. Although exercise may help to maintain mobility and alleviate symptoms, its feasibility is often limited. Pharmacological interventions, including appetite stimulants and anti-cachexia agents, remain largely investigational, with insufficient evidence for routine use in palliative care. Future research should refine sarcopenia assessment methods and develop patient-centered interventions that align with palliative care principles, emphasizing quality of life and individualized needs.

Sarcopenia is a rapidly rising health concern in the fast-aging countries, but its demanding diagnostic process is a hurdle for making timely responses and devising active strategies. To address this, our study developed and evaluated a novel sarcopenia diagnosis system using Stimulated Muscle Contraction Signals (SMCS), aiming to facilitate rapid and accessible diagnosis in community settings. We recruited 199 adults from Wonju Severance Christian Hospital between July 2022 and October 2023. SMCS data were collected using surface electromyography sensors with the wearable device exoPill. Their skeletal muscle mass index, handgrip strength, and gait speed were also measured as the reference. Binary classification models were trained to classify each criterion for diagnosing sarcopenia based on the AWGS cutoffs. The binary classification models achieved high discriminative abilities with an AUC score near 0.9 in each criterion. When combining these criteria evaluations, the proposed sarcopenia diagnosis system performance achieved an accuracy of 89.4% in males and 92.4% in females, sensitivities of 81.3% and 87.5%, and specificities of 91.0% and 93.8%, respectively. This system significantly enhances sarcopenia diagnostics by providing a quick, reliable, and non-invasive method, suitable for broad community use. The promising result indicates that SMCS contains extensive information about the neuromuscular system, which could be crucial for understanding and managing muscle health more effectively. The potential of SMCS in remote patient care and personal health management is significant, opening new avenues for non-invasive health monitoring and proactive management of sarcopenia and potentially other neuromuscular disorders.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13534-025-00461-z.

Sarcopenia is associated with clinical complications that increase mortality in older adults. Current screening tools, such as Sarc-F and Sarc-CalF, focus primarily on muscular performance but have limited sensitivity in identifying elderly individuals at risk of sarcopenia. The present study aims to develop a more comprehensive sarcopenia risk screening tool, Sarc-Global, which integrates additional anthropometric and clinical variables to enhance the sensitivity and accuracy of sarcopenia risk assessment in older adults.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to develop a sarcopenia risk screening tool, named Sarc-Global, with enhanced sensitivity, incorporating factors pertinent to the overall health of elderly individuals. Utilizing the criteria established by EWGSOP2 for diagnosing sarcopenia, we evaluated 395 community-dwelling elderly individuals. This evaluation served as a reference for assessing the efficacy of two validated questionnaires, Sarc-F and Sarc-CalF, and our newly developed Sarc-Global.

Multiple logistic regression revealed that Sarc-Global integrates variables such as sex, age, medication use, body mass index, arm circumference, and handgrip strength, which are significantly associated with sarcopenia (p<0.001). When combined with Sarc-CalF, these variables form the basis of the Sarc-Global model. In screening for sarcopenia risk, Sarc-Global demonstrated superior accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity (74%), outperforming Sarc-F (21%) and Sarc-CalF (34%).

Sarc-Global proves to be an effective tool for identifying elderly individuals at risk of sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia is characterized by loss of muscle mass and reduced muscle function, presenting various adverse events, especially when inflammation is present. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and identify the risk for sarcopenia using two screening tools the Strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls (SARC-F) and the Mini Sarcopenia Risk Assessment (MSRA). In this single-center cross-sectional study, 220 consecutive patients visiting the Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at the University General Hospital of Larissa were interviewed. The EWGSOP criteria were used for the diagnosis of sarcopenia, while sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, number needed to screen, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were used to validate the diagnostic validity of the SARC-F and the MSRA. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were also applied to model the relationship between sarcopenia and other variables. In the total sample, 15.9% of patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia and one patient with sarcopenic obesity. The SARC-F (sensitivity 22.2%, specificity 75.6%), the 5-item (sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 18.9%), and the 7-item MSRA (sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 9.2%) presented poor clinical performance when used for screening alone. Univariate logistic regression analyses showed that underweight status, systemic sclerosis and appetite loss are strong contributors to sarcopenia diagnosis. Sarcopenia is prevalent among RMDs, and screening is essential within RMD clinics. None of the screening tools (SARC-F and MSRA) can stand alone in assessing sarcopenia in patients with RMDs. More research is required to understand sarcopenia in RMDs and validate the wide-using screening tools.

Background: Frailty, sarcopenia, nutritional risk, and cognitive impairment are prevalent geriatric syndromes that adversely affect health outcomes in older adults, underscoring the need for an effective screen tool to enable early detection and timely intervention. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional validation design and translated, culturally adapted, and validated the Chinese version of the Rapid Geriatric Assessment (C-RGA) among 416 nursing home residents. The C-RGA consists of four subscales: the simple frail questionnaire screening tool (FRAIL), SARC-F for sarcopenia (SARC-F), the Simplified Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ), and the Rapid Cognitive Screen (RCS). Results: The C-RGA demonstrated high content validity (S-CVI/Ave = 0.982) and strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.839). Factor analysis confirmed its four-domain structure, accounting for 61.497% of the variance. Model fit indices demonstrated good construct validity (χ2/df = 1.122, RMSEA = 0.024, GFI, AGFI, and CFI > 0.90), supporting the robustness of the assessment tool. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong association between FRAIL and SARC-F with SNAQ (r = -0.671, 95% CI: [-0.742, -0.600], p < 0.01) and a moderate correlation with RCS (r = -0.426, 95% CI: [-0.513, -0.339], p < 0.01), underscoring the interplay among nutritional deficits, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairment. Conclusions: The C-RGA demonstrates strong psychometric properties, supporting its potential use as a screening tool for the early detection of frailty, sarcopenia, nutritional risk, and cognitive impairment among nursing home residents, enabling timely and targeted interventions. Future research should further assess its applicability across diverse healthcare settings to enhance its generalizability and clinical utility.

Sarcopenia is a syndrome commonly found in older people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) and resistance training (RT) on body composition, muscle strength, physical performance and blood biomarkers in older people with sarcopenia. We conducted a 12-week, 3-times-weekly assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial of 27 older people with sarcopenia aged ≥ 65 years. Subjects were randomized into WBVT group (n = 14) and RT group (n = 13). The primary outcome was knee extension strength (KES). Secondary outcomes were body composition [body weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI)], muscle strength [handgrip strength (HS)], physical performance [gait speed (GS), 5-time chair stand test (5CST), and short physical performance battery (SPPB)], blood biomarkers (inflammatory factors, hormones, growth factors, and muscle injury biomarker), and quality of life questionnaire [medical outcomes study short-form 36 (SF-36)]. After 12-week intervention, in the WBVT group, we observed significant improvements in body composition (weight, BMI, PBF and ASMI), muscle strength (KES), physical performance (GS, SPPB and 5CST), blood biomarkers [insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), growth hormone, follistatin (FST) and creatine kinase (CK)] and quality of life. In the RT group, we observed significant improvements in body composition (weight, BMI and PBF), muscle strength (KES), physical performance (GS and SPPB), blood biomarkers (growth hormone, FST and CK) and quality of life. Between-group comparisons were only significant for KES (P = 0.007) and the role-physical (RP) dimension of the SF-36 (P = 0.007). WBVT and RT both improved the physical condition of older people with sarcopenia. RT excelled in muscle strength, but WBVT offered an alternative for those with restrictions. WBVT's low risk and flexibility suited diverse conditions, providing a new rehabilitation option for patients with sarcopenia.

The "Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls" (SARC-F) is a simple, five-item tool used to identify individuals with suggestive signs of sarcopenia. This study assessed the validity of the Sinhala version of the SARC-F, evaluating its ability to detect sarcopenia in older women and its potential to predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

The culturally adapted Sinhala version of the SARC-F, along with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) survey, was administered among 350 older women (aged ≥ 65) attending medical clinics at National Hospital Galle, Sri Lanka. Handgrip strength (HGS) was measured using a handheld dynamometer, and relative appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (RSMI) was estimated with a Sri Lankan-specific anthropometry-based equation. Gait speed (GS) was assessed using 4-m customary-paced walk test.

The mean (± SD) age of the participants was 72 (± 5) years, with 56.3% (n = 197) having sarcopenia based on a SARC-F score of ≥ 4. The Sinhala version of SARC-F demonstrated a good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.72). A significant positive correlation between SARC-F and HGS indicated concurrent validity (r = 0.23, p < 0.001). Women with sarcopenia had significantly lower HRQoL scores, HGS and GS compared to those without, confirming discriminant validity (p < 0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the Sinhala SARC-F were 54.8%, 67.3%, and 60.3%, respectively, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.55-0.67) in detecting probable sarcopenia. The HRQoL domains of SF-36 (excluding emotional well-being), HGS and GS were inversely correlated with SARC-F (Spearman's rho range: -0.19 to -0.56, p < 0.001). SARC-F significantly associated with the physical function and pain domains of SF-36 explained 42% of the variance in the model (r = 0.65, R2 = 0.42).

The Sinhala version of SARC-F is a reliable and valid tool for screening sarcopenia in Sinhala-speaking older women in Sri Lanka. It can be integrated into clinical practice to identify those with suggestive signs of sarcopenia and to predict HRQoL enabling timely interventions. Future studies with larger, more diverse populations, including men, are needed to enhance the tool's generalizability and diagnostic accuracy.

Recent studies highlight how technology can mitigate the reliance on trained staff for scalability of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Although the original multi-sensor-based electronic SPPB (eSPPB) kiosk was previously validated in the outpatient setting, technical limitations and lack of user-friendliness impeded scalability to community settings where SPPB assessments are most often performed. We aim to evaluate the revised eSPPB kiosk in terms of construct validity, agreement, inter-rater, and test-retest reliability vis-à-vis manual SPPB (mSPPB) in community-dwelling older adults.

Fifty-eight community-dwelling older adults (81% women, mean age = 75.0 ± 5.5, median FRAIL = 0 [range 0-2]) from active ageing centers performed the mSPPB and eSPPB concurrently. Twenty (34%) had a repeat assessment 2 weeks later for test-retest reliability. Convergent validity, discriminant ability, agreement, inter-rater, and test-retest reliability were evaluated using partial correlation adjusted for age and gender, independent sample t tests using SPPB cutoff ≤ 9, and cross-tabulation of mSPPB against eSPPB, Bland-Altman plots, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), respectively.

eSPPB demonstrated excellent correlation with mSPPB (r = 0.922, p < 0.001); weak-moderate correlation with frailty and sarcopenia; and good discriminant ability for sarcopenia and frailty using SPPB cutoff ≤ 9. Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between eSPPB and mSPPB (mean difference = 0.12, 95%CI - 1.10 to 1.34; r = -0.035, p = 0.505). Inter-rater reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.92, 95%CI 0.87-0.95), while test-retest reliability was comparable between mSPPB and eSPPB (ICC = 0.66, 95%CI 0.33-0.85 versus 0.61, 95%CI 0.25-0.82 respectively).

Our study corroborates the construct validity, agreement, inter-rater, and test-retest reliability between the eSPPB kiosk and mSPPB in healthy community-dwelling older adults. This paves the way for scalability studies examining real-world eSPPB screening of sarcopenia and frailty in the community setting.

The global prevalence of obesity among elderly patients continues to rise. Despite the availability of new antiobesity medications, bariatric surgery remains an effective treatment option for carefully selected candidates. However, it is not risk-free, especially in a vulnerable population, predisposing to falls, fractures and sarcopenia. Following bariatric surgery, there is rapid loss of muscle mass, particularly within the first 3 months. Muscle quality, on the other hand, characterized by functionality and indirectly assessed through strength tests, appears to be preserved. This is attributed to reductions in ectopic intramuscular fat deposits. Strategies to mitigate muscle loss and functional impairment include combined exercises (resistive and aerobic training), adequate protein and vitamin D intake, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation, and testosterone replacement therapy for men with confirmed hypogonadism. It is important to emphasize that, to date, no specific trial has evaluated the current sarcopenia criteria in elderly patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Therefore, future studies are needed to assess this particularly vulnerable population, not only to monitor changes in muscular health, but also to develop strategies for preventing therapeutic inertia.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oropharyngeal functions and physical activity levels and quality of life in older adults. The Clinical Frailty Scale and Simple Questionnaire to Rapidly Diagnose Sarcopenia were used to assess frailty. Oropharyngeal functions were assessed using the Test of Masticating and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS) and Yale Swallowing Protocol (YSP). The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used to assess physical activity, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) to assess quality of life. There was a negative correlation between TOMASS and work-related activities (p = 0.024) and between YSP and total score and household activities (p < 0.05). There were negative correlations between role-physical and number of bites (p = 0.034) and total time of TOMASS (p < 0.001), and between role-emotional and number of bites, total time of TOMASS and YSP (p < 0.05). In conclusion, poor oropharyngeal function is associated with reduced physical activity and poorer quality of life in older adults.

Background: Liver cirrhosis is associated with significant nutritional challenges, including malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty, which impact clinical outcomes. The severity of these issues may vary between inpatient and outpatient settings, but there is a limited understanding of how these conditions manifest in these populations. This study aims to compare the nutritional status, dietary intake, and frailty in outpatients and inpatients with liver cirrhosis and to explore potential sex-specific differences. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 195 patients with liver cirrhosis from the Gastroenterology ward and Outpatient Clinic of Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, between May 2023 and July 2024. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements, dietary recall, and food frequency questionnaires. Sarcopenia was evaluated using the SARC-F questionnaire and handgrip strength. Frailty was assessed using the Liver Frailty Index (LFI). Data on clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and disease severity were also recorded. Results: The inpatient group (n = 69) had significantly lower BMI, mid-upper arm circumference, and triceps skinfold compared to outpatients (n = 126). Inpatients exhibited higher frailty, with 73.9% classified as frail according to the LFI, compared to 39.6% in outpatients (p < 0.001). Dietary intake revealed that 91% of inpatients had an energy intake deficit compared to 76% of outpatients (p = 0.009). Protein intake was inadequate in 84% of inpatients versus 61% of outpatients (p < 0.001). Sex-specific analysis showed that females had a higher prevalence of sarcopenia than males (64.4% vs. 38.2%, p < 0.001) and experienced more significant protein deficits (74.3% vs. 57.6%, p = 0.021). Females also had higher LFI score (4.77 ± 0.88 vs. 4.45 ± 0.91, p = 0.034). Multivariate analysis showed that CTP, LFI, and protein deficit are independently associated with hospitalization. Conclusions: Inpatients with liver cirrhosis are at higher risk for malnutrition, frailty, and inadequate nutrient intake compared to outpatients, emphasizing the need for targeted nutritional interventions in hospital settings. Additionally, females with cirrhosis are more prone to sarcopenia and frailty, requiring gender-specific approaches to nutrition.

Depressive symptoms are a serious health issue that can cause profound, lifelong suffering for people who are affected by it. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sarcopenia, oral frailty, and social frailty on depressive symptoms among Chinese participants aged ≥ 60 years old in China.

This research utilized a cross-sectional design and used convenience sampling to select participants from Anhui Province, China. Demographic questionnaire, SARC-F (Strength, Assistance with walking, Rising from a chair, Climbing stairs, and Falls), OFI-8 (Oral Frailty Index-8), the HALFT (Help, Participation, Loneliness, Financial, Talk) scale, and PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) were used to conduct the survey. A chi-square test was performed to evaluate the differences between categorical variables, spearman correlation analysis was used to find the correlation between depressive symptoms and factors. Four regression models were set up to evaluate the effect of factors on depressive symptoms and select the appropriate adjustment variables.

Of 1453 participants, 33.5% had sarcopenia, 51.4% had oral frailty, 31.5% had pre-social frailty, 14.5% had social frailty, and 32.2% had depressive symptoms. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that depressive symptoms significantly correlated with sarcopenia (r = 0.415), oral frailty (r = 0.282), and social frailty (r = 0.410). In crude analysis, sarcopenia (OR = 0.179, 95%CI 0.141-0.227), oral frailty (OR = 3.946, 95%CI 3.101-5.021), pre-social frailty (OR = 4.449, 95%CI 3.401-5.818), and social frailty (OR = 12.552, 95%CI 8.833-17.837) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in older adults. After adjusting for the covariates, sarcopenia (OR = 4.301, 95%CI 3.322-5.569), oral frailty (OR = 3.136, 95%CI 2.430-4.046), pre-social frailty (OR = 3.664, 95%CI 2.775-4.836) and social frailty (OR = 9.488, 95%CI 6.560-13.723) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. (P <0.05).

This research indicated that sarcopenia, oral frailty, pre-social frailty, and social frailty, were significant and positively associated with depressive symptoms. These results provide clinicians with a reference for identifying high-risk older adults and give public health policymakers a scientific approach to taking targeted interventions. Future research should further explore the two-way relationship between these factors and depressive symptoms and assess the effectiveness of different interventions. This will help to improve the quality of life and mental health.

The Heart Failure Frailty Score (HFFS) is a novel, multidimensional tool to assess frailty in patients with heart failure (HF). It has been developed to overcome limitations of existing frailty assessment tools while being practical for clinical use. The HFFS reflects the concept of frailty as a multidimensional, dynamic and potentially reversible state, which increases vulnerability to stressors and risk of poor outcomes in patients with HF.

The HFFS was developed through a Delphi consensus process involving 54 international experts. This approach involved iterative rounds of questionnaires and interviews, where a panel of experts provided their opinions on specific questions prepared by the Steering Committee. The experts were invited to vote and share their views anonymously, using a 5-point Likert scale over iterative rounds. An 80% threshold was set for agreement or disagreement for each statement. Twenty-two variables from four domains (clinical, functional, psycho-cognitive and social) have been selected for inclusion in the HFFS after the third round of the Delphi process. A shorter version (S-HFFS), including 10 variables, has also been developed for daily clinical use.

The HFFS is a new multidimensional tool for the identification of frailty in patients with HF. It should also enables healthcare providers to identify potential 'red flags' for frailty in order to develop personalized care plans. The next step will be to validate the new score in patients with HF.

The increase in fat tissue and the decrease in muscle mass with advancing age have prompted researchers to explore the coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity, i.e. sarcopenic obesity (SO). SO may lead to malnutrition due to poor diet quality, while malnutrition may contribute to SO by causing further muscle loss and metabolic imbalances.

The aims were to investigate: (i) the prevalence of SO in community-dwelling older adults, (ii) the diagnostic ability of two different malnutrition methods, and (iii) the association between SO and malnutrition.

Community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) were invited to participate. SO assessment was conducted based on the ESPEN/EASO consensus criteria. Malnutrition was evaluated based on both the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria and the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA).

Five hundred and ninety older adults (69.3% women, mean age: 74.31 ± 6.55 years) were included in the study. The overall prevalence of SO was 5.9% (n = 35). The prevalence of malnutrition was 23.9% according to the GLIM criteria, while it was 3.1% according to MNA. The agreement between the two measurements was ĸ = 0.32. There was no association between SO and malnutrition based on either GLIM (P: .06, OR: 1.971, 95% CI: 0.966-4.024) or MNA (P: .948, OR: 1.934, 95% CI: 0.119-7.306).

Even though the agreement for diagnosing malnutrition between GLIM criteria and MNA was fair, the number of participants diagnosed with malnutrition by GLIM criteria was almost eight times higher than MNA. No association was established between SO and malnutrition defined by GLIM or MNA.

NCT05122104.

In the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 guidelines, SARC-F is used to screen for sarcopenia. SARC-F is measured based on five components: strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falling. However, it has been reported that SARC-F has high specificity but low sensitivity for sarcopenia screening. Considering that SARC-F is currently recommended for sarcopenia screening, indicating the utility of SARC-F not only in sarcopenia screening but also in other aspects is pivotal. This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the relationship between the SARC-F score and the extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) in community-dwelling older people.

This study included 167 community-dwelling older people (aged ≥65) who were able to walk independently and used the SARC-F as a screening test for sarcopenia diagnosis. ECW/TBW and the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The associations among the SARC-F score, ECW/TBW, and SMI were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Multiple linear regression analyses of the SARC-F score were conducted. Age, sex, number of medications, pain, medical history, ECW/TBW, and SMI were considered independent variables in multiple linear regression analysis.

The analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between the SARC-F score and ECW/TBW (ρ = 0.473, p < 0.001). SMI was significantly and negatively correlated with the SARC-F score (ρ = -0.233, p = 0.002). In the multiple linear regression analysis, ECW/TBW (β = 0.311, p < 0.001) and prevalence of pain (β = 0.169, p = 0.023) were significantly and independently associated with the SARC-F score (R2 = 0.260). SMI was not significantly associated with the SARC-F score (β = 0.002, p = 0.986).

This study revealed a positive correlation between SARC-F score and ECW/TBW in community-dwelling older people, and this relationship persisted even after adjusting for confounding factors. However, there was no correlation between the SARC-F score and SMI. Our study indicated that the SARC-F score may be considered an indirect indicator of ECW/TBW. The score might also be useful for discriminating high and low ECW/TBW. These findings highlight a new use for SARC-F.

Sarcopenia, with its complex diagnostic process, is a likely independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, research on the clinical characteristics and biomarkers of AD patients with sarcopenia (ADSA) is limited.

This study included 180 ADSA and 188 AD patients without sarcopenia (ADNSA), and evaluated demographics, cognitive function, motor capacity, emotional state, and daily living abilities.

ADSA patients were older, with worse motor and cognitive functions, more severe depression, poorer social functioning, and lower daily living abilities compared to ADNSA patients. Multivariate regression identified age, low Frailty Rating Scale (FRS) scores, low serum albumin level, and low creatinine/cystatin C ratio (CCR) as risk factors for sarcopenia. A nomogram model based on these indicators demonstrated high discriminative power and clinical utility.

Sarcopenia significantly affects AD patients' various functions. The nomogram model aids in the early detection of and personalized interventions for sarcopenia in AD.

Sarcopenia is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the coexistence of sarcopenia affects various functions and quality of life in patients with AD. Serum albumin and Frailty Rating Scale (FRS) scores are significantly associated with both sarcopenia and cognitive assessment indicators in AD patients with sarcopenia (ADSA). The combined sarcopenia nomogram model with indexes of age at diagnosis, creatinine/cystatin C ratio (CCR), FRS score, and albumin levels can aid in effectively identifying and personalizing interventions for sarcopenia in the AD population.

This work aims to describe nutrition and sarcopenia in inpatients with heart failure (HF). It also aims to assess factors associated with in-hospital and short-term prognosis related to nutrition and sarcopenia.

We collected data on consecutive HF patients admitted to a single center's internal medicine ward. Patients were recruited in May and October 2021. Malnutrition was determined by the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) and sarcopenia by the screening test, SARC-F scale, and handgrip strength test.

190 patients were analyzed, mean age 82.1 (±8.2), 54.2% women, median follow up 106 days. Patients were classified into three groups based on MNA-SF score: group 1 (12-14 points, no risk) included 50 patients, group 2 (8-12 points, high risk of malnutrition) included 81 patients, group 3 (0-7 points, malnourished) included 59 patients. Group 3 had significantly more inflammation (lower albumin and higher C-reactive Protein (CRP)) and congestion (measured by NT-ProBNP levels). In-hospital mortality was related to poor muscle function, CRP, and NT-ProBNP, but not to malnutrition. The poorest short-term outcomes were related to malnutrition and comorbidity. However, when the variable of muscle function was introduced, it could act as a poor prognostic factor related to CRP and NT-ProBNP, which were the main determinants of survival.

In malnourished patients with HF, inflammation and congestion were related to in-hospital mortality. Malnutrition along with comorbidity may play a role in decreasing short-term survival. Early identification through proactive nutritional and functional screenings should be a key element of assessing HF patients.

We investigated the influence of sarcopenia on treatment outcomes in elderly patients receiving medical therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We included male patients with LUTS aged ≥ 75 years who had not changed their medication for 1 year. Current conditions were estimated using IPSS, overactive bladder symptoms score (OABSS), and screening tool for sarcopenia (SARC-F). We also evaluated prostatic volume (PV), serum testosterone level, grip strength, and nutrition status. SARC-F score of ≧4 was defined as sarcopenia. We included 59 patients in this study, including 16 patients (27.1%) with sarcopenia. The mean grip strength was significantly lower in the sarcopenia group than the non-sarcopenia group (25.5 vs. 30 kg, p < 0.01). IPSS total score, voiding symptom score of IPSS, and IPSS-QOL were significantly higher in the sarcopenia group than the non-sarcopenia group. The non-sarcopenia group had significantly larger PV (40 vs. 20 ml, p < 0.01) and higher testosterone levels (497.5 vs. 369 ng/ml, p = 0.03) compared with the sarcopenia group, whereas the percentage of patients taking dutasteride tended to be higher in the non-sarcopenia group than the sarcopenia group (58.1% vs. 31.3%, p = 0.07). Moderate and severe LUTS (IPSS total ≥ 8) persisted in 34 patients (57.6%) after medical treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that only SARC-F was a significant factor affecting the IPSS total ≥ 8 despite medical treatment for 1 year (OR 1.67, 95%CI: 1.13-2.46, p = 0.01). Sarcopenia defined by using SARC-F is a significant factor for unsatisfactory medical treatment of LUTS in elderly men aged ≥ 75 years.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), osteoporosis (OP) and sarcopenia are major public health problems related with higher fall/fracture risks, morbidity and mortality. Due to the lack of a comprehensive analysis among OP, sarcopenia and DM; we aimed to explore the relationships between DM and the aforementioned conditions in postmenopausal women.

This cross-sectional study included postmenopausal women who consecutively admitted to the Departments of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine, and Endocrinology and Metabolism. Demographic data, nutrition/cognition status and frailty scores of the participants were recorded. Sarcopenia-related parameters including, anterior thigh muscle thickness, handgrip strength, chair stand test, gait speed, and one-leg stand test (OLST) were measured. ISarcoPRM algorithm was used for the diagnosis of sarcopenia.

A total of 444 postmenopausal women were consecutively enrolled. DM patients (N = 158) had higher frequency of sarcopenia (23.4 % vs. 12.9 %), but lower frequency of OP (33.5 % vs. 50.7 %) than controls (both p < 0.01). As regards regression analyses; menopause duration was positively (OR: 1.054, 95 % CI 1.030-1.077), but weight (OR: 0.957, 95 % CI 0.940-0.975) and DM (OR: 0.477, 95 % CI 0.310-0.733) were negatively related with OP (all p < 0.001). On the other hand, age (OR: 1.094, 95 % CI 1.056-1.133), body mass index (OR: 1.131, 95 % CI 1.067-1.198), and DM (OR: 1.887, 95 % CI 1.107-3.218) were positively related with sarcopenia (all p < 0.05). In addition, age (β = -0.355, p < 0.001), body mass index (β = -0.108, p = 0.021) and DM (β = -0.209, p < 0.001) were negatively related with OLST values.

DM has paradoxical associations with bone mass and muscle mass/function. Although it has negative relationship with OP (about two times lower odds), it has positive relationship with sarcopenia (about two times higher odds).

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is characterised by severe exercise intolerance, particularly in those living with obesity. Low-energy meal-replacement plans (MRPs) have shown significant weight loss and potential cardiac remodelling benefits. This pragmatic randomised trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of MRP-directed weight loss on exercise intolerance, symptoms, quality of life and cardiovascular remodelling in a multiethnic cohort with obesity and HFpEF.

Prospective multicentre, open-label, blinded endpoint randomised controlled trial comparing low-energy MRP with guideline-driven care plus health coaching. Participants (n=110, age ≥18 years) with HFpEF and clinical stability for at least 3 months will be randomised to receive either MRP (810 kcal/day) or guideline-driven care for 12 weeks. Randomisation is stratified by sex, ethnicity, and baseline Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2-i) use, using the electronic database RedCap with allocation concealment. Key exclusion criteria include severe valvular, lung or renal disease, infiltrative cardiomyopathies, symptomatic biliary disease or history of an eating disorder. Participants will undergo glycometabolic profiling, echocardiography, MRI for cardiovascular structure and function, body composition analysis (including visceral and subcutaneous adiposity quantification), Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) and Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), at baseline and 12 weeks. An optional 24-week assessment will include non-contrast CMR, 6MWT, KCCQ score. Optional substudies include a qualitative study assessing participants' experiences and barriers to adopting MRP, and skeletal muscle imaging and cardiac energetics using 31Phosphorus MR spectroscopy.

Complete case analysis will be conducted with adjustment for baseline randomisation factors including sex, ethnicity and baseline SGLT2-i use. The primary outcome is the change in distance walked during the 6MWT. The primary imaging endpoint is the change in left atrial volume indexed to height on cardiac MRI. Key secondary endpoints include symptoms and quality of life measured by the KCCQ score.

The Health Research Authority Ethics Committee (REC reference 22/EM/0215) has approved the study. The findings of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

NCT05887271.

Pre-cancer onset of cachexia raises uncertainties regarding the optimal timing for early intervention in lung cancer patients. We aimed to examine changes in physical function, nutritional status, and cachexia incidence in patients with lung cancer from the initial visit to treatment initiation and determine the effect of these changes on lung cancer treatment.

This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled patients suspected of having advanced lung cancer who visited Kansai Medical University Hospital between January and February 2023 and were definitely diagnosed with the disease. Patients were categorized into three groups based on their cachexia status: those with cachexia at initial diagnosis (group C), those who developed cachexia between the initial visit and treatment initiation (group OC), and those without cachexia (group NC).

Out of 61 patients, 21 had cachexia at their first outpatient visit (group C). The time between the first visit and treatment initiation was 42.5 days. The rate of cachexia in patients with stage IV lung cancer in group OC was significantly higher than that in patients with other stages (P = 0.008). Of the 33 patients with advanced lung cancer, 11 received supportive care only. The first-line treatment induction rate for the OC group was low. Half of the patients declined chemotherapy and received the best supportive care; their disease control rate (37.5%) was significantly worse than that of the other groups (P = 0.007).

Cachexia negatively impacts the effectiveness of initial cancer treatment, necessitating early anti-cachexia interventions at the first clinical visit.

Background/Objectives: The aging population poses a significant challenge to global public health, impacting the physical, mental, and social health of older adults. Social activity has been widely acknowledged as a protective factor for both mental and physical well-being. Research indicates that consistent engagement in social activities can mitigate the risk of depression, prevent cognitive decline, and support physical functionality. This study aims to explore the correlations and associations between two variables related to social activity (self-reported activity level and time spent with friends) and various other variables among geriatric patients in Northern Romania. Methods: This cross-sectional, single-center observational study utilized data from 588 geriatric patients (402 females and 186 males) admitted to the Geriatrics ward of the Municipal Clinical Hospital. The dataset included variables such as sociodemographic information, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and SARC-F questionnaire scores, time spent with friends, and activity levels. Descriptive statistics were computed alongside statistical tests to examine group differences, associations, and predictive relationships. Results: The sample was characterized by variability in age, educational attainment, and pension levels. The statistical analyses revealed significant differences based on education, pension, and civil status. Patients with higher GDS and SARC-F scores had lower odds of spending time with friends or belonging to the active or extremely active groups. Notably, women reported higher GDS scores and lower activity levels compared to men. Conclusions: Understanding the factors that influence social activity among older adults is essential for designing targeted interventions aimed at preventing social isolation and fostering healthy aging across diverse demographic and environmental contexts.

The main aim of the current study was to compare the effects of two strength training modalities (hypertrophy vs. contrast training) on bone health parameters, physical performance and quality of life in a group of subjects aged 60 and above with low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). 45 older adults voluntarily participated in this study, but only 41 (22 women and 19 men) completed it. The participants were assigned to 3 different groups: control group (CG; n = 15), contrast training group (CTG; n = 13) and hypertrophy training group (HTG; n = 13). The duration of the training protocol was six months. The experimental groups performed two sessions of strength training per week; the duration of each session was forty-five minutes. Several measurements (which included anthropometrics, body composition, bone parameters, maximal strength parameters, physical performance parameters, fracture risk and quality of life) were performed in the three groups before and after the six-month training period. The different measurements of the protocol were carried out under the same conditions with identical materials and investigators for all the participants and for each approach. The current study has demonstrated that the two training modalities show common benefits such as improving maximal strength, physical performance and quality of life parameters but have no significant effects on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC). The influence of training was marked more for improving maximal strength and reducing fracture risk for the contrast training group (who performs movements at high speed) compared to the hypertrophy training group (who performs movements at spontaneous speed). In conclusion, this study shows that both resistance training programs are effective in improving maximal strength, physical performance and quality of life in older adults with low SMI. However, this 6-month intervention was not sufficient to significantly increase BMC nor BMD values in this population.

Sarcopenia is characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and poses a significant health challenge for older adults by increasing the risk of disability and decreasing quality of life. Yoga considers as a low-risk and beneficial exercise for older adults. This research aims to evaluate the potential of yoga practice as a preventive strategy against sarcopenia in Indonesian older adults.

An observational cross-sectional research was conducted including 41 older adults aged 60-87 years. The research focused on key biomarkers and functional assessments, including serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels, telomere length, gait speed, hand grip strength, and SARC-F questionnaire scores.

The results showed that participants aged 71-80 years who practiced yoga for more than a year had significantly higher IGF-1 levels (p=0.04). While improvements in gait speed, hand grip strength, and SARC-F scores were observed, these changes were not statistically significant, and no significant differences were found in telomere length.

Yoga in older adults was associated with higher IGF-1 levels and potential improvements in upper and lower extremity strength, though these findings were not statistically significant and did not influence telomere length. Yoga practice shows potential as an emerging adjuvant option but can not be applied as a single strategy for sarcopenia prevention in older adults.

Rodent models suggest that when respiratory demands increase during an exercise program, tongue and thyroarytenoid muscles engage to maintain a patent airway, leading to increased muscle strength. This suggests that nonspecific exercises that increase respiratory rate may improve swallowing. As such, the purpose of this proof-of-principle study was to determine the potential for whole-body exercise to improve tongue strength, cough strength, and self-reported swallowing function in older adults with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Nine community-dwelling adults with PD (six men, three women; M ± SD age = 73 ± 7 years) were enrolled in a 10-week (30 min/session, three sessions/week, for a total of 30 sessions) virtual, whole-body exercise program, designed to increase respiratory rate. Demographic, frailty (Strength, Assistance in walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls [SARC-F]), mobility (Schwab & England Activities of Daily Living Scale), and swallowing (tongue strength, cough strength, Eating Assessment Tool 10 [EAT-10]) measures were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear mixed models.

Baseline frailty and mobility severity scores indicated mild PD severity. Post-exercise, four of nine participants demonstrated improvement in either anterior or posterior tongue strength, as well as cough strength. Three participants with higher exercise heart rate or rating of perceived exertion scores reported a decrease in EAT-10 scores to a level of below clinical concern (< 3). Results from linear mixed models demonstrated no statistically significant effects on any measures of swallowing function.

Findings from this pilot study suggest potential signal for a higher intensity whole-body exercise program to improve self-reported swallowing function, given that heart rate and/or exertion intensity that met or exceeded the target was associated with positive changes in self-reported swallowing function, but not tongue or cough strength. Future research including a larger sample size and intervention controls is needed to further elucidate a relationship between whole-body exercise and swallowing.

People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV) appear to be at a higher risk of developing sarcopenia. Various factors seem to influence the risk of sarcopenia, and its prevalence may differ depending on the screening tool used. This study aimed to (i) Screen the risk of sarcopenia in PLHIV using the SARC-F and SARCCalf and identify associated factors; (ii) Analyze the agreement between the instruments in PLHIV.

Cross-sectional study including PLHIV taking antiretroviral therapy. The authors assessed sarcopenia risk using the SARC-F and SARCCalf tools with ≥4 and ≥11 cutoff points, respectively, and a wide spectrum of variables was analyzed.

Participated 76 patients (44.9 ± 12.7 years). Sarcopenia risk, according to the SARC-F, was 27.6 % and was associated with socioeconomic status (p = 0.004), smoking (p = 0.001), disease status (p < 0.001), opportunistic infections (p = 0.001), CD4 T-cell count (p < 0.001), Handgrip Strength (HGS) (p < 0.001), and Gait Speed (GS) (p = 0,001). Using the SARCCalf, sarcopenia risk was 36.8 % and was associated with work activity (p = 0.029), socioeconomic status (p = 0.004), smoking (p = 0.009), disease status (p < 0.001), opportunistic infections (p = 0.015), CD4 T-cell count (p = 0.002), HGS (p = 0.001), Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (ASMMI) (p = 0.009), and GS (p < 0.001). The agreement between tools was moderate (k = 0.49).

Sarcopenia risk, as determined by both tools, was higher in low-income PLHIV with opportunistic infections, CD4 T-cell count ≤ 200 cells/mm3, low HGS, and low GS, and lower in asymptomatic and non-smoking individuals. The authors recommend investigating these factors in hospital and outpatient settings. The SARCCalf proved to be more appropriate for screening sarcopenia risk in PLHIV.

Various explicit screening tools, developed mostly in central Europe and the USA, assist clinicians in optimizing medication use for older adults. The Turkish Inappropriate Medication use in oldEr adults (TIME) criteria set, primarily based on the STOPP/START criteria set, is a current explicit tool originally developed for Eastern Europe and subsequently validated for broader use in Central European settings. Reviewed every three months to align with the latest scientific literature, it is one of the most up-to-date tools available. The tool is accessible via a free mobile app and website platforms, ensuring convenience for clinicians and timely integration of updates as needed. Healthcare providers often prefer to use their native language in medical practice, highlighting the need for prescribing tools to be translated and adapted into multiple languages to promote optimal medication practices.

To describe the protocol for cross-cultural and language validation of the TIME criteria in various commonly used languages and to outline its protocol for clinical validation across different healthcare settings.

The TIME International Study Group comprised 24 geriatric pharmacotherapy experts from 12 countries. In selecting the framework for the study, we reviewed the steps and outcomes from previous research on cross-cultural adaptations and clinical validations of explicit tools. Assessment tools were selected based on both their validity in accurately addressing the relevant issues and their feasibility for practical implementation. The drafted methodology paper was circulated among the study group members for feedback and revisions leading to a final consensus.

The research methodology consists of two phases. Cross-cultural adaptation/language validation phase follows the 8-step approach recommended by World Health Organization. This phase allows regions or countries to make modifications to existing criteria or introduce new adjustments based on local prescribing practices and available medications, as long as these adjustments are supported by current scientific evidence. The second phase involves the clinical validation, where participants will be randomized into two groups. The control group will receive standard care, while the intervention group will have their treatment evaluated by clinicians who will review the TIME criteria and consider its recommendations. A variety of patient outcomes (i.e., number of hospital admissions, quality of life, number of regular medications [including over the counter medications], geriatric syndromes and mortality) in different healthcare settings will be investigated.

The outputs of this methodological report are expected to promote broader adoption of the TIME criteria. Studies building on this work are anticipated to enhance the identification and management of inappropriate medication use and contribute to improved patient outcomes.