Prevalence and definition of sarcopenia in community dwelling older people. Data from the Berlin aging study II (BASE-II)

Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2016 Feb;49(2):94-9. doi: 10.1007/s00391-015-0886-z. Epub 2015 Apr 16.

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia describes the age-associated loss of muscle mass, strength and function. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia in a cohort of community dwelling elderly people living in Berlin, Germany, according to the criteria proposed by current consensus statements and to study the respective impact on self-reported physical performance.

Material and methods: This study included 1405 participants from the Berlin aging study II (BASE-II). The appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was assessed with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), muscle strength was measured by hand grip strength and the timed up and go" test (TUG) was performed as a functional parameter to reflect mobility.

Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 24.3 % in terms of reduced SMI only and considerably lower for sarcopenia with reduced grip strength (4.1 %) and sarcopenia with limited mobility (2.4 %). Only 0.6 % of the participants fulfilled all three criteria. Of the subjects with a normal SMI, 8.6 % had reduced grip strength and 5.1 % had limited mobility, whereas 1.3 % subjects fulfilled both criteria. Participants with reduced strength or function reported severe difficulties in performing physical tasks significantly more often than participants with normal or reduced SMI alone (p <0.029-p <0.0001).

Conclusion: In BASE-II low skeletal muscle mass was much more frequent than reduced grip strength or poor function. Reduced strength and function were found to be associated with a greater impact on physical performance than reduced muscle mass. Low SMI does not seem to be a prerequisite for low strength or limitations in mobility.

Keywords: Community dwelling older people; Limited mobility; Muscle mass; Reduced hand grip strength; Sarcopenia.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon / statistics & numerical data
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Berlin / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment / methods*
  • Geriatric Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Hand Strength
  • Humans
  • Independent Living / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Weakness / classification
  • Muscle Weakness / diagnosis*
  • Muscle Weakness / epidemiology*
  • Prevalence
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Factors
  • Sarcopenia / classification
  • Sarcopenia / diagnosis*
  • Sarcopenia / epidemiology*
  • Self Report
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sex Distribution
  • Terminology as Topic
  • Walking Speed