Decrease in Muscle Mass Starts at Early Age

Sarcopenia, which has been defined as the disease of elderly people for many years, appears to occur at an earlier age today. Stating that sarcopenia is an important geriatric syndrome that increases morbidity and mortality as well as impairing the quality of life of the person, Prof.  Dr. Aslı Çurgunlu pointed out that it is possible to reverse the loss of muscle strength with measures to be taken at an early age.

Although its name is not known much, sarcopenia is an important problem affecting the geriatric population. In general, sarcopenia, which is defined as a progressive and widespread muscle disease with a decrease in muscle mass, muscle strength, and functions, is an important syndrome that can lead to loss of life as well as deteriorating the quality of life of the person. Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Internal Medicine and Geriatrics specialist, especially in recent years, due to the numerous studies on the effect of muscles on health and disease, many developments have been experienced in the prevention, delay, and treatment of the disease

Increases Risk of Fall-Related Fractures

Stating that this problem poses a great risk, especially for the elderly population, our expert said: "Sarcopenia can lead to increased risk of fractures due to falls and falls, impaired activities of daily living, movement disorders, increased hospitalization, decreased quality of life and even death. It may be associated with heart and respiratory diseases and cognitive disorders."

Weakness in Muscles Becomes Apparent in the 50s

"Although sarcopenia has been attributed to older people for many years, we now know that sarcopenia develops at an earlier age. Muscle mass and muscle strength are usually at their highest level towards the age of 30. If necessary precautions are not taken during this period, the loss gradually increases with advancing age. It becomes more prominent from the age of 50. If the right interventions are not made from a young age, sarcopenia development will be inevitable. For this reason, it is possible to delay or even reverse the loss of muscle mass and muscle strength with proper nutrition and exercise programs at an early age. “

Decreased Muscle Strength The Most Important Symptom

Diagnosis and treatment strategies were updated in 2018 by EWGSOP2 (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People) due to the diagnosis of sarcopenia and the difficulties of treatment follow-up. According to this definition, the most important parameter for the diagnosis of sarcopenia is decreased muscle strength, our specialist said the following about other diagnostic criteria: "In addition to the decrease in muscle strength, the patient should have a decrease in the amount of muscle or a decrease in the quality of the muscle. If low muscle strength, decrease in muscle mass and quality, and poor physical performance are combined, severe sarcopenia is in question. Further examination and evaluation are recommended for the presence of sarcopenia in people with complaints and symptoms such as falling, feeling weak, slow walking speed, difficulty getting up from a chair, and weight loss."
The test called SARC-F, which consists of questions that question the limitation of one's own power, can help screen people at risk for sarcopenia. In addition, other methods such as hand tightening power evaluation, chair lift test, ultrasound to measure muscle mass, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer), BIA (Bioelectrical impedance analysis) are also included in the diagnosis.

Prevention is More Important Than Treatment

According to the information provided by our Internal Medicine specialist, sarcopenia is defined as primary sarcopenia in cases that develop depending on age and do not have any other specific cause, and secondary sarcopenia if it develops due to systemic diseases. In addition, sarcopenia may develop when a lack of physical activity and protein-energy intake is insufficient. Underlining that the prevention of the disease is actually much more important and beneficial than the treatment, the Yeditepe University Hospital Internal Medicine Specialist explained the following about the treatment: “Taking 1.2 g (1.2 g/kg/day) protein per body weight per day and dividing it into each meal reduces the risk. It should not be forgotten that the need for protein increases in cases such as acute diseases, infections, and surgical interventions.'' 

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