Elsevier

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

Volume 90, September–October 2020, 104125
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

Impact of using the updated EWGSOP2 definition in diagnosing sarcopenia: A clinical perspective

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2020.104125Get rights and content
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Abstract

Background and Purpose

The revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2, version 2019) definition of sarcopenia differs with respect to the EWGSOP (version 2010) definition in applied criteria and their cut-off values. We aimed to investigate the impact of the new definition on sarcopenia prevalence in various populations of older adults.

Methods

Eight cohorts, including community-dwelling older adults, geriatric outpatients and patients admitted to acute and subacute inpatient wards were assessed on sarcopenia prevalence.

Results

A total of 2256 participants (56.4 % female) were included with a median age of the cohorts of 71.7–83.3 years. In males, sarcopenia prevalence was 31.9 % according to EWGSOP compared to 12.0 % according to EWGSOP2. In females, sarcopenia prevalence was 4.9 % and 6.1 % according to EWGSOP and EWGSOP2 respectively. Lower cut-off points for handgrip strength (27 kg versus 30 kg (males) and 16 kg versus 20 kg (females) for EWGSOP and EWGSOP2 respectively) resulted in the lower sarcopenia prevalence in males.

Conclusions

According to the EWGSOP2 definition, the prevalence of sarcopenia in males is significantly lower compared to the EWGSOP definition, whereas the prevalence among women is slightly higher. The lower cut-off points for handgrip strength result in fewer adults being diagnosed with sarcopenia.

Abbreviations

ASM
appendicular skeletal muscle
DSM-BIA
direct segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis
DXA
dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
EWGSOP
European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older Peopl
IQR
interquartile range
HGS
handgrip strength
SD
standard deviation
SMM
skeletal muscle mass

Keywords

Classification
Muscle atrophy
Muscle strength
Skeletal muscle
Physical functional performance
Change management

Cited by (0)

1

Both authors contributed equally.