Biomarkers of Sarcopenia and Frailty in Geriatric Patients

During the last decades there has been an increase in the relative proportion and life expectancy of elderly people. Hence, the number of elderly with diseases and disabilities related to aging will increase and consequently, age-related losses in skeletal muscle mass and physical function represents an important current and future public health issue. Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder that is considered central to the development of physical deconditioning and untreated sarcopenia is linked to falls, morbidity, and mortality.

The underlying mechanisms behind the progressive loss of muscle mass and function associated with aging are yet unknown but seems to be multifactorial. A decrease in physical activity level and an altered central and peripheral nervous system innervation have been identified as some of the contributing factors. Furthermore, chronic low-grade inflammation has been proposed as a central contributor to sarcopenia and thus physical frailty.

However, it is not yet clear whether the elevated markers of inflammation seen in the elderly are due to aging, chronic illness, or inactivity. But overall, it seems that inflammation plays an important role in the development of muscle loss, and is related to increased risk of falls, fragility, and early death.