Sarcopenia: a geriatric syndrome to be shared

Description

Sarcopenia is a prevalent disease in elderly (13-24%), peaking in patients over 85 years of age. In spite of sharing some age-related anatomo functional alterations with muscular apparatus, several pathogenetic mechanisms are independent on aging itself, leading to frame the disease as a true geriatric syndrome, also in terms of comorbidity, disability and overall mortality. The current definition addresses the disease as a progressive loss of muscular mass, strength and tone, lacking of at least a fundamental issue; the disease is almost reversible if diagnosed with promptness. It definitely paves the way to challenging approaches in terms of primary and secondary prevention, able to restrain the disability related to osteo-sarco-dynapenia as well as its outgrowing socioeconomic burden. Moreover, new pathophysiological insights in the field are focusing interesting therapeutic targets (genetic therapy on stem cells commitment or myostatin inhibition as well as hormonal therapy with SERM) enlarging the disease therapeutic conceptual framework. Anyway, this geriatric syndrome, needs a multidisciplinary approach; a fruitful sharing of knowledge among geriatrics, orthopaedics and general practitioners to better define the therapeutic target as well as the functional outcomes. Key.words: osteo-sarco-dynapenia,geriatric syndrome, prevention, multidisciplinary approach

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