Probable Sarcopenia as a Marker of Ageing

Relevance. Aging of the human body is accompanied by gradual reduction in the reserve of adaptive capacity and fragility, which represents an increased ulnerability to the impact of various factors. Sarcopenia refers to the fragility criteria associated with age-related degenerative changes in skeletal muscles, including gradual loss of muscle mass and decreased strength. It is considered one of the top five risk factors for severe illnesses and high mortality rates in people over 65.

Aim. the purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of probable sarcopenia as a marker of physiological aging.

Materials and Methods.Study groups were divided into youngest-old individuals (45–59 years, n = 482), middle-old individuals (60–74 years, n = 462), oldestold individuals (75 years and older, n = 291). All citizens who signed informed consent were examined according to the protocol of the European consensus on sarcopenia (EWGSOP2) with determination of walking speed, muscle strength by handgrip strength using a dynamometer and body composition assessment with determination of skeletal muscle index (SMI, kg/m2) using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) (InBody, Korea), filling out the SarQoL questionnaire. According to the EWGSOP2 consensus, the term "probable sarcopenia" refers to a decrease in muscle strength, which is currently the most reliable indicator of muscle function. Inclusion criteria: compliance with the age criterion, absence of acute infectious diseases, exacerbation of chronic non-infectious diseases, absence of psychiatric diseases. Statistical processing was performed using the computer programme STATISTICA 10.0.

Results. The mean age in the 45–59 years group was 50.6 ± 5.5 years, with 15.8% men (n = 76) and 84.2% women (n = 406). The mean age in the elderly group was 67.1 ± 3.9 years, the gender composition was predominantly represented by women 80.3% (n = 371), the proportion of men was 19.7% (n = 91). In the group over 75 years old, the mean age was determined to be 79.2 ± 4.3 years, with 79% (n = 270) women and 21% (n = 61) men. The frequency of probable sarcopenia in 6.6% of middle-aged subjects (n = 32) and 17.1% of elderly subjects (n = 79) was found to be less than the threshold value (χ2, p = 0.001). The highest frequency of probable sarcopenia was determined in the group of elderly subjects — in 41,2% of subjects (n = 120), (χ2, p = 0,001). Thus, a significant acceleration of muscle mass loss is observed after 60 years of age and is an important characteristic of physiological aging (Fig.1).

Conclusions. The rapidly shifting age structure of the population will impact the frequency and occurrence of ageing-related conditions, such as sarcopenia. Our top priority should be to enhance the length and quality of life. The introduction of preventive measures is advisable at the stage of probable sarcopenia in order to preserve the ability to social functioning and self-care among the older and oldest-old.

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