The Conceptual Definition of Sarcopenia: Delphi Consensus from the Global Leadership Initiative in Sarcopenia (GLIS)

IMPORTANCE

Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength/function, is an important clinical condition. However, no international consensus on the definition exists.

OBJECTIVE

The Global Leadership Initiative in Sarcopenia (GLIS) aimed to address this by establishing the global conceptual definition of sarcopenia.

DESIGN

The GLIS steering committee was formed in 2019-21 with representatives from all relevant scientific societies worldwide. During this time, the steering committee developed a set of statements on the topic and invited members from these societies to participate in a two-phase International Delphi Study. Between 2022 and 2023, participants ranked their agreement with a set of statements using an online survey tool (SurveyMonkey). Statements were categorised based on predefined thresholds: strong agreement (>80%), moderate agreement (70-80%) and low agreement (<70%). Statements with strong agreement were accepted, statements with low agreement were rejected and those with moderate agreement were reintroduced until consensus was reached.

RESULTS

107 participants (mean age: 54 ± 12 years [1 missing age], 64% men) from 29 countries across 7 continents/regions completed the Delphi survey. Twenty statements were found to have a strong agreement. These included; 6 statements on 'general aspects of sarcopenia' (strongest agreement: the prevalence of sarcopenia increases with age (98.3%)), 3 statements on 'components of sarcopenia' (muscle mass (89.4%), muscle strength (93.1%) and muscle-specific strength (80.8%) should all be a part of the conceptual definition of sarcopenia)) and 11 statements on 'outcomes of sarcopenia' (strongest agreement: sarcopenia increases the risk of impaired physical performance (97.9%)). A key finding of the Delphi survey was that muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle-specific strength were all accepted as 'components of sarcopenia', whereas impaired physical performance was accepted as an 'outcome' rather than a 'component' of sarcopenia.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

The GLIS has created the first global conceptual definition of sarcopenia, which will now serve to develop an operational definition for clinical and research settings.

Association between vitamin B12 levels and cognitive impairment in older adults

INTRODUCTION

Whether vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is associated with cognitive impairment remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between vitamin B₁₂ serum levels and cognitive performance.

METHODS

Two-hundred and forty-one adults aged ≥ 60 years who had serum vitamin B₁₂ serum levels measurement were included. Physical and cognitive evaluation was carried out, and three groups were formed: normal cognition (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Vitamin B₁₂ levels were classified as sufficiency (> 400 pg/mL), subclinical deficiency (201-400 pg/mL), and absolute deficiency (≤ 200 pg/mL). Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between cognitive function and vitamin B₁₂ levels after controlling for confounding variables.

RESULTS

Mean age was 81.4 ± 8.0 years; 68% were females; 17.8 % and 39.8% had absolute and subclinical vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, respectively; 80 individuals (33%) met the criteria for MCI, and 70 (29%), for dementia. Those with MCI and dementia had lower vitamin B₁₂ levels in comparison with those with NC after adjusting for age, gender and educational level (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

A statistically significant association was observed between global cognitive performance and levels of vitamin B₁₂.

Defining terms commonly used in sarcopenia research: a glossary proposed by the Global Leadership in Sarcopenia (GLIS) Steering Committee

METHODS

The aim of this paper is to define terms commonly related to sarcopenia to enable standardization of these terms in research and clinical settings. The Global Leadership Initiative in Sarcopenia (GLIS) aims to bring together leading investigators in sarcopenia research to develop a single definition that can be utilized worldwide; work on a global definition of sarcopenia is ongoing. The first step of GLIS is to develop the common terminology, or a glossary, that will facilitate agreement on a global definition of sarcopenia as well as interpretation of clinical and research findings.

RESULTS

Several terms that are commonly used in sarcopenia research are defined, including self-reported measures of function and ability; objective physical performance tests; and measures related to muscle function and size.

CONCLUSION

As new methods and technologies are developed, these definitions may be expanded or refined over time. Our goal is to promote this common language to describe sarcopenia and its components in clinical and research settings in order to increase clinical awareness and research interest in this important condition. We hope that the use of common terminology in sarcopenia research will increase understanding of the concept and improve communication around this important age-related condition.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN APOE-ε4 CARRIER STATUS AND QUALITATIVE NEUROIMAGING CHARACTERISTICS IN OLDER ADULTS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is multifactorial and includes the presence of genetic variants such as the ε₄ allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE-ε₄). Association between the APOE-ε₄ carrier status and deleterious structural and functional changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been previously described in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. However, the central nervous system changes may possibly develop in earlier stages of cognitive impairment, as reflected in MCI.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine the association between APOE-ε₄ carrier status and qualitative changes on MRI (medial temporal and parietal atrophy), as well as the detection of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in older adults with MCI, in the memory clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Mexico City.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 72 adults aged 60 years or above who underwent an exhaustive clinical, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological evaluation. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to determine the association between APOE-ε₄ carrier status and qualitative/quantitative changes on MRI.

RESULTS

Mean age was 75.2 years (± 7.2) and 64% were female. Twenty-one participants were cognitively normal and 51 had MCI. Almost 56% were APOE-ε₄ carriers and were associated with medial-temporal atrophy according to the Scheltens scale (odds ratio [OR]: 20.0, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.03-131.7), parietal atrophy according to the Koedam's score (OR: 6.3; 95% CI 1.03-39.53), and WMH according to the Fazekas scale (OR: 11.7, 95% CI: 1.26-108.2), even after adjusting for age, educational level, and cardiovascular risk factors.

CONCLUSION

The APOE-ε₄ carrier status was associated with medial temporal and parietal atrophy, as well as WMH. Our findings support the hypothesis suggesting the contribution of this genotype to neurodegeneration and cerebral vascular pathology.

ASSOCIATION OF VITAMIN D WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND ALZHEIMER'S DEMENTIA IN OLDER MEXICAN ADULTS

Background

It has been proposed that Vitamin D helps reduce the accumulation of cerebral β-amyloid-42 by innate immune stimulation and phagocytosis activation. An association between low Vitamin D levels and Alzheimer's dementia (AD) has been established. We determined the association between Vitamin D, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD in older Mexican adults (> 65 years).

Methods

Cross-sectional study conducted at the memory clinic in a tertiary-level hospital in Mexico City. We evaluated subjects with MCI, AD, and normal cognition (NC) with available serum Vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels (past 6 months). Three categories were assigned according to 25(OH)D levels: sufficiency (> 30 ng/mL), insufficiency (21-29 ng/mL), and deficiency (≤ 20 ng/mL). Descriptive statistics, means and standard deviations were used. Logistic regression analyses adjusted by age, sex, and educational level were performed.

Results

We evaluated 208 patients. Mean age was 79 ± 1 year, 65% (n = 136) were female; and mean educational level was 6.7 ± 2.3 years. Thirty-one subjects (14%) had NC; 42% (n = 88) had MCI; and 43% (n = 89) had AD. Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency was 54%, more frequent in the AD group (64%) followed by the MCI (59%) and NC (13%) (p < 0.001) groups. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, Vitamin D deficiency was associated with MCI (HR 25.02 [confidence interval 95% 4.48-139]; p < 0.001) and AD (HR 41.7 [5.76-301]; p < 0.001) after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusions

Serum Vitamin D deficiency was associated with MCI and dementia; low levels produced a greater effect over executive functions.

Neurologic manifestations of elderly patients with cancer

BACKGROUND

The incidence of cancer is an age-related phenomenon; therefore, the interest on clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach and treatment strategies for older patients diagnosed with cancer has increased lately. Neurologic symptoms are one of the main reasons for consultation and a common cause of decreased quality of life among cancer patients.

AIMS

To identify the neurologic manifestations of patients ≥ 65 years of age diagnosed with cancer and compare them to those presented by a younger population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of cancer patients referred to neuro-oncologic consultation at a Cancer Center. Sociodemographic, health and oncologic characteristics were obtained through clinical interviews. Clinical symptoms and final diagnoses were also recorded. Bivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out.

RESULTS

More than 17,000 neuro-oncologic consultations in 3015 patients were given, 27% (n = 811) of them were ≥ 65 years of age. Most frequent primary neoplasms in elderly patients were: breast cancer, hematologic neoplasms, gynecological, urologic, skin and head and neck cancers. Elderly patients had an increased risk of having the following diagnoses: abnormal movements, stroke, peripheral vertigo, dementia, degenerative spine disorder, and delirium.

DISCUSSION

Elderly patients are considered a vulnerable population. The present study found that the main neoplasms associated with neurological manifestations are similar to the reported previously. We described the main symptoms that led to a neuro-oncological assessment. Moreover, we enlisted the final diagnoses made on elderly patients and compared them with others reports. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides valuable information, since there is scarce evidence in the literature about this topic.

CONCLUSION

Identifying the frequency and correlation of neurologic manifestations in older cancer patients will allow for the implementation of timely multidisciplinary care in an attempt to improve these patients' health-related quality of life.

The Effect of a Geriatric Oncology Clinic on Treatment Decisions in Mexican Older Adults With Cancer

OBJECTIVES

Geriatric assessment and interventions improve the care of older adults with cancer, but their effect on treatment decision making in resource-limited settings is unknown. We studied the effect of recommendations made by a consultative geriatric oncology clinic on treatment decision making by oncologists in Mexico.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective chart review of 173 consecutive patients with solid tumors referred before treatment initiation to the geriatric oncology clinic at a third-level public hospital in Mexico City between March 2015 and October 2017. Patients were evaluated by a multidisciplinary geriatric oncology clinic, and treatment recommendations were issued to treating oncologists.

MEASUREMENTS

We determined the overall proportion of agreement between geriatric oncology recommendations and oncologists' treatment decisions. We assessed whether agreement increased when geriatric oncology recommendations were acknowledged in the treating oncologist's clinic note. The homogeneity of agreement was tested using the Stuart-Maxwell test.

RESULTS

Median age was 79 years (range = 64-97 years). "Standard treatment" was recommended in 48% of cases, followed by "less intensive treatment" in 32%, and "best supportive care" in 20%. The overall proportion of agreement for the entire population was 80% (κ = 0.69), although agreement was heterogeneous (X² = 8.16, P = .02). Geriatric oncology recommendations were acknowledged in the treating oncologists' notes in 62% of cases. Overall agreement was higher when the evaluation was acknowledged (83%, κ = 0.74) than when it was not acknowledged (74%, κ = 0.60). Agreement was homogeneous only when recommendations were acknowledged in the oncologist's note (X² = 3.0, P = .22).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall proportion of agreement between geriatric oncology recommendations and final treatment decisions was high, particularly when recommendations were acknowledged in the treating oncologists' note. Including geriatric oncology evaluations in everyday clinical practice and fostering interdisciplinary communication between geriatric oncology and treating oncologists may provide valuable guidance for physicians caring for older patients with cancer in resource-limited settings. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:992-997, 2019.

Validity and Reliability of the Spanish Version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for the Detection of Cognitive Impairment in Mexico

OBJECTIVE

To establish the validity and reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Spanish (MoCA-S) to identify mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in the Mexican elderly population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

168 participants from a memory clinic in Mexico City were enrolled and divided into 3 groups: 59 cognitively healthy (CHG), 52 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (DSM-5 criteria) and 57 with dementia (NINCDS-ADRDA criteria). The MoCA-S and Mini-Mental State Evaluation (MMSE) were applied at baseline and during the last months to establish intra-observer reliability. ROC curves and a multinomial regression model were constructed to evaluate the effect of age and education on MoCA-S performance.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 76±8.1 years and the education rate was 10.7±5.2. The MoCA-S scores by group were: CHG, 27.3±1.9; MCI, 22.9±2.9; and dementia, 13.7±4.9 (p<0.001). The reliability of the MoCA-S was 0.89 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.955. Sensitivity was 80% and specificity was 75%, with a cut-off point of 26 points for MCI (area under the curve, 0.886; p<0.001). For the dementia group, the sensitivity was 98% and specificity was 93%, with a cut-off point of 24points (area under the curve, 0.998; p<0.001). The multinomial regression showed no association with education and age for both the MCI and dementia groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The MoCA-S is a valid and reliable instrument for MCI and dementia screening in the Mexican population, even after adjusting for age and education.

Frailty Across Age Groups

BACKGROUND

The implementation of an aging biomarker into clinical practice is under debate. The Frailty Index is a model of deficit accumulation and has shown to accurately capture frailty in older adults, thus bridging biological with clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the association of socio-demographic characteristics and the Frailty Index in different age groups (from 20 to over one hundred years) in a representative sample of Mexican subjects.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis.

SETTING

Nationwide and population-representative survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults 20-years and older interviewed during the last Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (2012).

MEASUREMENTS

A 30-item Frailty Index following standard construction was developed. Multi-level regression models were performed to test the associations of the Frailty Index with multiple socio-demographic characteristics across age groups.

RESULTS

A total of 29,504 subjects was analyzed. The 30-item Frailty Index showed the highest scores in the older age groups, especially in women. No sociodemographic variable was associated with the Frailty Index in all the studied age groups. However, employment, economic income, and smoking status were more consistently found across age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the Frailty Index in a representative large sample of a Latin American country. Increasing age and gender were closely associated with a higher score.

The Coyoacán Cohort Study: Design, Methodology, and Participants' Characteristics of a Mexican Study on Nutritional and Psychosocial Markers of Frailty

BACKGROUND

"Frailty" has emerged as a condition associated with an increased risk of functional decline among the elderly, which may be differentiated from aging, disability, and co-morbidities.

OBJECTIVE

The Mexican Study of Nutritional and Psychosocial Markers of Frailty among Community-Dwelling Elderly has emerged to help answer many questions about frailty among the older adults. This report presents the design of the study and baseline data of its participants.

DESIGN

The "Coyoacan cohort" is a longitudinal observational study developed in Mexico City.

PARTICIPANTS

A representative sample of 1,294 non-institutionalized men and women aged 70 years and older were randomly recruited to undergo a face-to-face interview and a comprehensive geriatric assessment (including clinical evaluations and blood samples) between 2008 and 2009.

MEASUREMENTS

Data collected included socio-demographic and economic characteristics, medical history, oral health, drug use, cognitive function and mood, nutritional status, physical performance and functional status, physical activity, quality of life, social networks, and biological data. Frailty was defined as the presence of ≥3 of the following components: slowness, poor muscle strength, low physical activity, exhaustion and unintentional weight loss.

RESULTS

A total of 1,124 participants completed the interview. The mean age was 79.5 ± 7.1 years, and 55.9% were female. Nine hundred and forty-five subjects completed the clinical evaluation and 743 blood samples were collected. The baseline prevalence of frailty was 14.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the medical, biological, and environmental factors that contribute to the phenomenon of frailty is the goal of the current research in the field.

The Phenotype of Frailty and Health-Related Quality of Life

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a multidimensional problem in the elderly, but there is little information about its implications on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between frailty and HRQoL as well as the association between each component of the phenotype of frailty and the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) components summaries of QoL.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Cross-sectional study of 496 community-dwelling elderly aged 70 and older, participating in the Mexican Study of Nutritional and Psychosocial Markers of Frailty.

MEASUREMENTS

Frailty was defined by the presence of at least three of the following criteria: weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slowness, and weakness. QoL and both of its components were assessed through the SF-36. The association of each component of frailty with the PCS and the MCS of QoL was determined through the construction of multivariate lineal regression models. Final analyses were adjusted by socio-demographic characteristics and by the remaining four components of frailty as covariates.

RESULTS

Mean age of participants was 78.0 (SD ± 6.2), 49.4% were women, and 12.7% were frail. Multivariate lineal regression analysis showed that frail and prefrail participants had lower scores for the PCS (P < .001) and the MCS (P < .001) of QoL in comparison with non-frail subjects. Weight loss (P < .001) and exhaustion (P < .001) had an independent inverse association with the MCS of QoL while gait speed (P < .001) and grip strength (P < .001) were also inversely associated with the PCS score.

CONCLUSION

Frailty is independently associated with lower scores in the MCS and the PCS of QoL. The finding that different components of frailty were associated with both dimensions of QoL reflects the need for individualized treatment of frail elderly.

Cognitive impairment and low physical activity are the components of frailty more strongly associated with disability

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association of the five frailty criteria from the Cardiovascular Health Study, as well as cognitive impairment, with prevalent disability for the instrumental (IADL) and basic activities of daily living (ADL).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study of 475 community-dwelling subjects aged 70 and older, participating in the Mexican Study of Nutritional and Psychosocial Markers of Frailty.

MEASUREMENTS

Six probable frailty criteria were considered: weight loss, poor endurance, low physical activity, slowness, weakness, and cognitive impairment. The association of each component of frailty for IADL and ADL disability as main outcomes was determined constructing multivariate logistic regression analyses. Final models were adjusted by socio-demographic factors and the presence of the other five frailty components as covariates.

RESULTS

Mean age of participants was 78.1 (SD=6.2). The unadjusted results showed that each of the components of frailty, except weight loss, was associated with both IADL and ADL disability. However, after adjustment, only low physical activity [Odds ratio (OR) =3.27; 95% CI=1.56 to 6.85] and cognitive impairment (OR=2.06; 95% CI=1.04 to 4.06) remain independently associated with IADL disability. Regarding ADL disability, only a lower physical activity (OR=7.72; 95% CI=1.28 to 46.46) was associated with this outcome, whereas cognitive impairment was marginally associated but was not statistically significant (OR=5.45; 95% CI=0.91 to 32.57).

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive impairment and low physical activity are the main contributing factors of frailty phenotype to disability. Better understanding the independent contribution of each frailty subdimension to the different adverse-health outcomes may help to provide a more adequate management of frail elderly.