Identification and characterization of community-dwelling older people with sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia is an age-related decline in muscle mass, strength and physical
performance, and is recognised as a geriatric syndrome. Sarcopenia by itself or
as a major component of frailty is associated with a risk of adverse outcomes
e.g. physical disability, increased risk of falls and fractures, poor quality
of life, loss of autonomy and independency, and death. Depending on the
diagnostic criteria, it is estimated that the prevalence of sarcopenia in
community-dwelling people above the age of 60 years varies between 10 and 50%.
As sarcopenia is relevantly prevalent and because it increases the risk of
disability and the use of healthcare resources and institutionalization, the
economic burden for the healthcare system is great. Considerable evidence
suggests that sarcopenia is a partially reversible cause of disability and can
benefit from intervention, particularly at its early stages.

The aim of this pilot study is to test the feasibility of a screeningset, to be
used in a future cross-sectional study on the prevalence, characteristices and
health and economic outcomes of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older people.

This study will be pilot study. Inclusion of participants will last 1 month, or
in case the preferred number of participants is met, shorter. There is one
measurement moment and measurements will take place in the participants home.
Firstly, demographic data of participants will be collected. This includes age,
gender, ethnicity, cognitive function, living situation and presence of chronic
diseases. Co-morbidity will not be an exclusion criterion per se, but
participants with acute and/or uncontrolled conditions will be excluded.
Identification of sarcopenia will be done by measuring muscle mass, strength
and physical performance. Muscle mass will be measured by a bio-electrical
impedance analysis (BIA) and grip strength will be measured by a hand-held
dynamometer. Physical performance will be measured by a balance test, chair
stand and gait speed (by a 4 meter walk test). Nutritional status will be
assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Other questionnaires include: PASE
(level of physical activity), physical component of the Tilburg Frailty
Indicator (frailty), Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (activities of daily
living), EQ-5D-5L (quality of life) and health care use (self developed).

Subjects will have to fill out a questionnaire on forehand (45 min) and will be
visited at home. This home visit takes 2,5 hours. In this study, serious
adverse events are unlikely, since previous studies using the same tools have
reported no or only few events (muscle soreness).