Diagnosing sarcopenia: Functional perspectives and a new algorithm from the ISarcoPRM.
Murat Kara, Bayram Kaymak, Walter Frontera and 11 others
PMID 34121127WHAT IT FOUND
A proposed diagnostic algorithm suggests screening older adults for sarcopenia using chair stand and grip strength tests, then confirming muscle loss with ultrasound of the anterior thigh.
This approach is not yet tested in clinical practice.
Key findings
01The proposed ISarcoPRM algorithm uses a Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio (STAR) of anterior thigh muscle thickness to diagnose muscle mass loss, replacing appendicular skeletal muscle measurements.
02The algorithm defines probable sarcopenia by a chair stand test time of 12 seconds or more, or grip strength below 32 kg in males and 19 kg in females.
03The authors explicitly state that this conceptual model has not been tested in the research laboratory or in the clinic.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The diagnostic algorithm is a conceptual model that has not been tested in the research laboratory or in the clinic. The proposal relies on ultrasound measurements of the anterior thigh, which may be inaccessible or require specialized training for many clinicians. The authors note that the model should be applied with caution in patients with comorbidities like knee surgery or severe arthritis, which can cause regional muscle loss unrelated to systemic sarcopenia. Cut-off values for the proposed STAR ratio are derived from limited cross-sectional data and may not be validated across different populations.
Declared interests
The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.
The easy way to misread this
Do not adopt this diagnostic algorithm in clinical practice. The authors explicitly state that this model is conceptual and has not been tested in the laboratory or the clinic, so its accuracy and utility are currently unknown.