Sarcopenia

The grounding supports aging as the primary cause, with sarcopenia occurring during normal aging and being described as age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass. It is also associated with chronic illness, malnutrition, and immobility, and may be exacerbated by comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and cancer.

The literature describes sarcopenia as an imbalance between anabolic and catabolic muscle homeostasis, sometimes with neuronal degeneration. Reported mechanisms include altered hormone signaling, changes in muscle fiber composition and neuromuscular drive, impaired satellite cell function, inflammatory pathways, and defects in proteostasis and mitochondrial function.

Older age is the main risk factor supported by the grounding. Other factors associated with sarcopenia include chronic disease states, malnutrition, immobility, and comorbid cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and cancer.

The grounding supports screening and assessment of older adults using validated instruments, along with identification and management of frailty. Treatment is described at the level of therapy and drug therapy, but the supplied material does not support specific standard treatments beyond general management approaches focused on recognition and care of older adults with sarcopenia or frailty.