Sarcopenia affects up to 16 percent of the global elderly population
In short: A systematic review of meta-analyses found that sarcopenia, a condition characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and function, affects an estimated 10% to 16% of older adults worldwide. The research also observed that prevalence rates are notably higher in specific patient groups, ranging from 18% in those with diabetes to 66% in patients with certain esophageal cancers.
The researchers synthesized data from existing meta-analyses to summarize the prevalence, risks, and consequences of muscle loss. While the study linked factors like physical inactivity, smoking, and malnutrition to increased risk, these associations were primarily observed in non-cohort studies and require further confirmation through high-quality cohort studies.
Why it matters: Muscle loss is a widespread issue in older adults that correlates with several lifestyle and medical risk factors.
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Sources
- Source: Research: Yuan and Larsson (2023). Epidemiology of sarcopenia: Prevalence, risk factors, and consequences. Metabolism. · cc-by
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