Measurement of muscle mass in sarcopenia: from imaging to biochemical markers

M. Tosato, E. Marzetti, M. Cesari, G. Savera, R.R. Miller, R. Bernabei, F. Landi, R. Calvani

Aging Clin Exp Res Epub 2017 Feb 10

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Sarcopenia encompasses the loss of muscle mass and strength/function during aging. Several methods are available for the estimation of muscle or lean body mass. Popular assessment tools include body imaging techniques (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, dual X-ray absorptiometry, ultrasonography), bioelectric impedance analysis, anthropometric parameters (e.g., calf circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference), and biochemical markers (total or partial body potassium, serum and urinary creatinine, deuterated creatine dilution method). The heterogeneity of the populations to be evaluated as well as the setting in which sarcopenia is investigated impacts the definition of “gold standard” assessment techniques. The aim of this article is to critically review available methods for muscle mass estimation, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of each of them as well as their proposed field of application.

Comment: The recent assignment of a specific code for sarcopenia in the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), valid as of October 1st 2016, will likely provide further impetus to the development of standards for the screening, diagnosis and monitoring of the condition. In such a context, the establishment of an international consensus on an accurate, reliable, and cost-effective method to assess muscle mass across research and clinical settings is of utmost importance.