Pathophysiological interactions between sarcopenia and type 2 diabetes: A two-way street influencing diagnosis and therapeutic options.

This review will try to elucidate the interconnected pathophysiology of sarcopenia and type 2 diabetes (T2D) and will try to identify a common pathway to explain their development. To this end, the PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for articles published about the underlying pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of both sarcopenia and T2D. The medical subject heading (MeSH) terms 'sarcopenia' AND 'diabetes mellitus' AND ('physiopathology' OR 'diagnosis' OR 'therapeutics' OR 'aetiology' OR 'causality') were used. After screening, 32 papers were included. It was evident that sarcopenia and T2D share multiple pathophysiological mechanisms. Common changes in muscle architecture consist of a shift in myocyte composition, increased myosteatosis and a decreased capacity for muscle regeneration. Further, both diseases are linked to an imbalance in myokine and sex hormone production. Chronic low-grade inflammation and increased levels of oxidative stress are also known pathophysiological contributors. In the future, research efforts should be directed towards discovering common checkpoints in the development of T2D and sarcopenia as possible shared therapeutic targets for both diseases. Current treatment for T2D with biguanides, incretins and insulin may already convey a protective effect on the development of sarcopenia. Furthermore, attention should be given to early diagnosis of sarcopenia within the population of people with T2D, given the sizeable physical and medical burden it encompasses. A combination of simple diagnostic techniques could be used at regular diabetes check-ups to identify sarcopenia at an early stage and start lifestyle modifications and treatment as soon as possible.

Evaluation of methods measuring medication adherence in patients with polypharmacy: a longitudinal and patient perspective.

PURPOSE: To explore patients' willingness to have medication adherence measured using different methods and evaluate the feasibility and validity of their combination (i.e., pill counts, a medication diary and a questionnaire assessing adherence two months post-discharge). METHODS: (1) A cross-sectional evaluation of the willingness of patients with polypharmacy to have their medication adherence measured post-discharge. (2) Medication adherence was monitored during two months using pill counts based on preserved medication packages and a diary in which patients registered their adherence-related problems. During a home visit, the Probabilistic Medication Adherence Scale (ProMAS) and a questionnaire on feasibility were administered. RESULTS: A total of 144 participants completed the questionnaire at discharge. The majority was willing to communicate truthfully about their adherence (97%) and to share adherence-related information with healthcare providers (99%). More participants were willing to preserve medication packages (76%) than to complete a medication diary (67%) during two months. Most participants reported that preserving medication packages (91%), completing the diary (99%) and the ProMAS (99%) were no effort to them. According to the majority of participants (60%), pill counts most accurately reflected medication adherence, followed by the diary (39%) and ProMAS (1%). Medication adherence measured by pill counts correlated significantly with ProMAS scores, but not with the number of diary-reported problems. However, adherence measured by the medication diary and ProMAS correlated significantly. CONCLUSION: Combining tools for measuring adherence seems feasible and can provide insight into the accordance of patients' actual medication use with their prescribed regimen, but also into problems contributing to non-adherence.

Prevalence of sarcopenia and 9-year mortality in nursing home residents.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. It is linked to functional decline, and secondary to this, to nursing home admission. AIMS: To look into the prevalence of sarcopenia in a nursing home population and to gain insight into the relation of sarcopenia with mortality in this cohort. METHODS: A longitudinal cohort follow-up started in October 2007 in 52 nursing homes in Belgium. Following data were procured: anthropometrics (weight/length), body composition (muscle mass through bio-impedance absorptiometry, BIA), functional status (Katz), nutritional status (mini-nutritional assessment-short form, MNA), and a number of laboratory parameters. RESULTS: In total, 745 residents were included. Mean age was 84.6 ± 7.2 years. Mean follow-up time was 1632 ± 1026 days. In total, 17% had severe sarcopenia, 45% had moderate sarcopenia, and 38% had no sarcopenia. Following items were significant (p < 0.05) on univariate analysis with mortality as outcome: sarcopenia, gender, BMI, skeletal muscle mass, age, MNA, and functional level. In multivariate analysis, only MNA, skeletal muscle mass, and age were still significant. Odds ratio for skeletal muscle mass was 1.171 for the highest percentile group, 2.277 for the middle percentile group, and 4.842 for the lowest percentile group. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of sarcopenia was higher than in comparative literature, for which there are a few hypotheses. Cut-off values for sarcopenia using BIA for specific cohorts need to be re-evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: It seems to remain useful to screen for muscle mass in institutionalized elderly, because there is a clear and significant correlation with long-term mortality.

[Validation of the Dutch EAT-10 for screening of oropharyngeal dysphagia in the elderly population]. / Validatie van de EAT-10 in het Nederlands ter screening van orofaryngeale dysfagie in een oudere populatie.

The prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) in the elderly population >76y is estimated at 26%. OD can lead to malnutrition, depression, diminished quality of life and increased mortality in the elderly. Despite these important complications, OD is still underdiagnosed due to a lack of a reliable and easily applicable screening tool. The Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) questionnaire consists of ten statements about symptoms and signs of OD. In the current literature, a cut-off value of ≥3 points is preferred to be considered as in risk for OD. The EAT-10 questionnaire shows good internal consistency and reliability and is validated in different languages with comparable results. The purpose of this study is to validate the EAT-10 questionnaire in Dutch. The results show a strong test-retest reliability (Spearman's rho 0.841) and an internal consistency of 0.917 via Cronbach's alpha. The Dutch EAT-10 questionnaire is well applicable in a clinical environment with a mean duration of 2 minutes and 28 seconds (± 1 minute and 32 seconds) to complete the test. Validation of the Dutch EAT-10 questionnaire makes screening of OD in the Dutch (elderly) population possible.

The impact of cognitive impairment on the physical ageing process.

BACKGROUND: Physical decline and cognitive degeneration characterise the ageing process. AIM: Physical parameters, performance and the functional indexes were studied in relation to age in healthy and cognitively impaired older persons to understand the interactions and changes during normal ageing, cognitive decline and progression to frailty. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis was performed on a data registry of an ambulatory Memory Diagnosis Centre. The quantitative gait characteristics at usual pace, body composition parameters, disability scales (activity of daily living and instrumental activity of daily living) and Rockwood frailty index were compared in cognitively healthy (CHI), mild cognitively impaired, mildly and moderately demented < 80-years old and > 80-years old adults. RESULTS: Quality of gait deteriorated with age in CHI and cognitively impaired. Skeletal muscle mass index decreased when cognitive status worsened. Disability and frailty correlated with increasing cognitive impairment. Age, gender, cognitive impairment, body composition and Rockwood's Frailty scale had a combined forecasting effect, as well as the individual effect on the gait characteristics. Disability score, Frailty index, skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle mass index, gait speed, normalised mean step length and swing time variability in mildly demented < 80-years old adults mirrored the parameters in the CHI > 80-years old. CONCLUSION: Quantitative gait characteristics, muscle mass and disabilities change along with cognitive impairment, frailty and age. A more rapid physical ageing process accompanies cognitive decline. Therefore, gait characteristics should be age-referenced and studies on gait in older persons should include muscle mass, frailty and cognitive parameters.

Clinical approach to the older person with anorexia.

OBJECTIVE: Anorexia is a challenging problem among older people. Apart from being the consequence of normal ageing, it can also be a symptom of underlying disease. Despite the high prevalence of anorexia, only few recommendations exist on the evaluation in older people. The objective of this study is to summarize evidence and provide guidance through creating a flowchart. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed through combining following keywords: older people (aged, geriatrics, older adult), anorexia (also loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss) and diagnosis. After removal of duplicates and case-reports, articles were selected based on title and abstract by two reviewers. Guidelines, reviews, studies and relevant publications discussing anorexia or unintentional weight loss were included. Relevant data were extracted and processed into a flowchart. RESULTS: Out of 619 hits, 25 articles were included discussing either the evaluation of anorexia or unintentional weight loss. Consensus in the work-up of unintentional weight loss is to start with a detailed history and physical examination followed by full bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray and a faecal occult blood test. In certain cases, ultrasound and upper endoscopy are further recommended. In the work-up of anorexia, medication, social, psychological, logopaedic and neurocognitive aspects need to be taken into consideration. CONCLUSIONS: One of the main challenges of the evaluation of anorexia in older people is the lack of guidance in existing literature. Therefore, we investigated what is currently known about the management of anorexia and unintentional weight loss as well and combined best practices to form a flowchart.

The Development of Recommendations for Healthcare Providers to Support Patients Experiencing Medication Self-Management Problems.

Medication self-management problems such as the inability to correctly obtain, understand, organize, administer or monitor medication can result in negative patient outcomes. However, supportive tools for healthcare providers to assist patients with medication self-management problems are lacking. This study aimed to develop recommendations for healthcare providers to support patients with polypharmacy who experience medication self-management problems. A three-phase study was conducted starting with (1) the mapping of medication self-management problems, followed by (2) a scoping review providing a list of relevant interventions and actions for each respective problem and (3) a three-round modified e-Delphi study with experts to reach consensus on the relevance and clarity of the recommended interventions and actions. The cut-off for consensus on the relevance and clarity of the recommendations was set at 80% expert agreement. Experts could propose additional recommendations based on their professional experience and expertise. The experts (n = 23) involved were healthcare professionals (i.e., nurses, pharmacists, and physicians) with specific expertise in medication management of patients with polypharmacy. Simultaneous with the second e-Delphi round, a panel of patients with polypharmacy (n = 8) evaluated the usefulness of recommendations. Results obtained from the patient panel were fed back to the panel of healthcare providers in the third e-Delphi round. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Twenty medication self-management problems were identified. Based on the scoping review, a list of 66 recommendations for healthcare providers to support patients with the identified medication self-management problems was composed. At the end of the three-round e-Delphi study, the expert panel reached consensus on the relevance and clarity of 67 recommendations, clustered according to the six phases of the medication self-management model by Bailey et al. In conclusion, this study resulted in a guidance document including recommendations that can serve as a resource for healthcare providers to support patients with polypharmacy in case of medication self-management problems. Future research should focus on the evaluation of the feasibility and user-friendliness of the guide with recommendations in clinical practice.

Infections and hospital bed-days among aging adults: A five-year retrospective study in a Belgian general hospital.

Background: Infectious disease in aging adults (≥61 years) often occurs in combination with other health conditions leading to long hospital stays. Detailed studies on infection in aging adults investigating this problem are sparse. Aim: To quantify the effect of primary and secondary diagnosed infections on hospitalization bed-days among aging adult patients. Design: Retrospective patient-file study. Setting: Ziekenhuis Netwerk Antwerpen (ZNA) Hospital, a 1,858-bed general hospital in Belgium, with 364 beds allocated to geriatric patients. Data source: Database of hospitalized adult patients aged ≥61 years. Methods: All adult patients aged ≥61 years hospitalized on two wards, Geriatrics and Pulmonology, from 2010 to 2014 were included. Primary diagnosed infections were defined as infections known at entry to be treated first. Secondary diagnosed infections included infections known at entry but treated in parallel to primary non-infectious causes of entry, infections unknown at entry, and hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections. Data were analyzed by patient age, gender, year, ward type, bed-days of hospitalization, infection rates, and seasonality. Results: There were 3,306 primary diagnosed infections (18%) and 14,758 secondary infections (82%) identified in the two wards combined (54.7% of all hospital stays at those 2 wards). Secondary diagnosed infections accounted for a significantly higher proportion of hospitalizations in both wards (+40% for Geriatric ward; +20% for Pulmonology ward; p < 0.001) and were associated with a significantly longer average hospital stay (+4 days for Geriatric ward; +5 days for Pulmonology ward; p < 0.001). Nosocomial infections (12% for Geriatric ward; 7% for Pulmonology ward) were associated with particularly high bed-days of hospitalization, at approximately +15 days and +12 days on Geriatric and Pulmonology wards, respectively. Both wards showed marked seasonality for respiratory infections with winter peaks. Conclusion: Real-world data showed that secondary diagnosed infections in aging adults imposed a high burden on hospital care along with longer hospital stays. This hampered bed availability during peak seasons.

Muscle measurements in daily clinical practice: correlations between ultrasound, bioelectrical impedance analysis and hand grip strength.

Objectives: Muscle ultrasound is gaining importance as a measurement tool to evaluate sarcopenia in daily clinical practice. This study sought to collect reference values of the biceps brachii (BB) in healthy subjects, and to correlate them to bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and hand grip strength (HGS). Methods: Ultrasound was used to measure muscle thickness (MT), cross-sectional area (CSA) and muscle stiffness (EG). Lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM) and phase angle (PhA) were measured by BIA. HGS was measured using a Jamar dynamometer. Intra-rater reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation (ICC). Correlations were investigated using Pearson correlation (PCC). Results: One-hundred-twenty-three Caucasian individuals (51 male and 72 female subjects) between 18 and 69 years old were included. ICC for ultrasound was 0.99 (CI 0.98-0.99). LM, PhA and HGS showed significant correlations with MT and CSA in the entire population (PCC>0.684). These correlations were more significant and stronger in male than in female subjects (PCC>0.419 and >0.279 resp.). Significant correlations with respect to FM and EG were seen exclusively in female subjects. Conclusion: Significant correlations were observed between parameters of muscle quantity measured by ultrasound, BIA and HGS. Intra-rater reliability was excellent. Future studies in larger populations are needed to clarify the observed gender differences.

The association between muscle mass and the degree of myosteatosis of the psoas muscle and mortality in older patients with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is used for oncological management in older patients. The evaluation of muscle characteristics is currently not included in the CGA. This study investigates whether muscle mass and the degree of myosteatosis is associated with mortality in older patients with cancer. METHODS: CGA was performed in a cohort of older patients with cancer. Cross sectional area (CSA) and mean pixel density (Hounsfield units, HU), as measure for respectively muscle mass and myosteatosis, were obtained from CT images of the psoas muscle at the level of mid L3. Mortality was recorded. Correlation was determined between CSA and HU. Paired sample t-test was used to follow changes in muscle mass and density. Logistic regression was performed to define relevant prognostic factors for mortality. RESULTS: In total, 183 patients were included (86 male and 97 female), 120 patients (66%) died. Mean age was 80 years (range 70-94 years). Mean days of survival was 606 (range 1-2023). There was a significant correlation between CSA and HU (PCC = 0.196) at time of diagnosis and at follow-up (PCC = 0.257). There was a significant decrease in CSA (p = .008) and HU (p = .004) in men at follow-up. No significant changes were observed in women. In multivariate analysis, a higher gender-corrected CSA was linked to a lower mortality rate with an odds ratio of 0.657 (CI = 0.457-0.944, p = .023). No association was found between HU and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle mass correlated with the degree of myosteatosis. CSA and HU tended to decrease during follow-up. Having a greater CSA was prognostic for a lower mortality rate.

Physical components of frailty in predicting mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates physical, nutritional and psychological components of frailty in predicting postoperative mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: A single centre retrospective observational study was conducted from July 2015 until January 2019. Psychological, nutritional and physical components of frailty were measured. Sarcopenia was defined as having both gait speed and grip strength under the threshold. The primary endpoint was the cumulative all-cause 1-year mortality. Secondary endpoint was 30 days all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients were included. The primary endpoint was observed in 18 patients (14.4%). Five patients died within the first 30 days (4.0%). None of the frailty tests were correlated with early mortality. However, at one year, the nutritional components albumin and Mini Nutritional Assessment - short form (MNA-SF) and the physical components gait speed, chair stand test, TUG, SPPB, EFT and sarcopenia were associated with increased mortality after TAVI. A significant difference in mortality was present if stratified for MNA-SF (log-rank p = .008), sarcopenia (log-rank p < .001), SPPB (log-rank p = .003) and EFT score (log-rank p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Mainly nutritional and physical components of frailty were associated with 1-year mortality after TAVI.

Application of ultrasound for muscle assessment in sarcopenia: 2020 SARCUS update.

PURPOSE: In 2018, the SARCUS working group published a first article on the standardization of the use of ultrasound to assess muscle. Recommendations were made for patient positioning, system settings and components to be measured. Also, shortcomings in knowledge were mentioned. An important issue that still required standardization was the definition of anatomical landmarks for many muscles. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in Medline, SCOPUS and Web of Sciences looking for all articles describing the use of ultrasound in the assessment of muscle not described in the first recommendations, published from 01/01/2018 until 31/01/2020. All relevant terms used for older people, ultrasound and muscles were used. RESULTS: For 39 muscles, different approaches for ultrasound assessment were found that likely impact the values measured. Standardized anatomical landmarks and measuring points were proposed for all muscles/muscle groups. Besides the five already known muscle parameters (muscle thickness, cross-section area, pennation angle, fascicle length and echo-intensity), four new parameters are discussed (muscle volume, stiffness, contraction potential and microcirculation). The former SARCUS article recommendations are updated with this new information that includes new muscle groups. CONCLUSIONS: The emerging field of ultrasound assessment of muscle mass only highlights the need for a standardization of measurement technique. In this article, guidelines are updated and broadened to provide standardization instructions for a large number of muscles.

Usability and Pitfalls of Shear-Wave Elastography for Evaluation of Muscle Quality and Its Potential in Assessing Sarcopenia: A Review.

Sarcopenia is age-related progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Its prevalence is rising, which poses a burden for society because it increases disability and dependency and therefore raises health care costs. Muscle mass quality, however-an essential part of sarcopenia-is not easily diagnosable yet. Recent interest has risen for ultrasonographic evaluation of muscle. This review introduces muscle elastography as a possible, easy and cheap tool to evaluate qualitative muscle parameters. Basic principles of muscle elastography are described, as well as different elastography techniques and some technical considerations. Furthermore, a proposal for practical guidelines is offered and factors influencing muscle stiffness are highlighted.

Comprehensive Quantitative Spatiotemporal Gait Analysis Identifies Gait Characteristics for Early Dementia Subtyping in Community Dwelling Older Adults.

Background: Recent studies associated gait patterns with cognitive impairment stages. The current study examined the relation between dementia type and spatiotemporal gait characteristics under different walking conditions in pre and mild neurocognitive disorder stage. Methods: Community-dwelling older adults (age 50+) with memory complaints consulting a memory clinic underwent, at baseline and during follow-up (every 4 months), a standard dementia assessment and a comprehensive spatiotemporal gait analysis [walking on an electronic walkway at usual pace (UP) with and without a counting-backwards (CW) or animal-reciting dual-task (AW), at fast (FP) and at slow (SP) pace]. At baseline the participants were categorized according to the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. At the end of the study, the dementia diagnosis was used to stratify the categories in three outcome groups: developed "No-dementia," "AD+FTD" (grouping Alzheimer's or Fronto-temporal dementia) or "VascD+LBD" dementia (grouping Vascular dementia or Lewy body dementia). The gait characteristics were compared per category in paired groups. Sub-analyzing in the ≥70-years-old participants evaluated the age effect. Results: Five hundred and thirty-six participants, age 50-to-95-years old were followed for 31-to-41 months. In the CDR 0, no differences were seen between eventual dementia and no-dementia individuals. In the CDR 0.5, CW dual task cost (DTC) step width was larger in the imminent "AD+FTD" and AW (normalized) gait speed was slower in the future "VascD+LBD" group compared to the no-dementia participants. Slower UP (normalized) gait speed differed the future "VascD+LBD" from the "AD+FTD" individuals. In the CDR 1: Wider steps in UP, SP and CW differed the "VascD+LBD" from the "AD+FTD" group. In the ≥70-years old CDR 0 category, higher AW cycle time variability in the imminent "AD+FTD" dementia group, wider UP step width and higher AW cycle time variability in the "VascD+LBD" group differed them from the no-dementia group up to 3 years before dementia diagnosis. The distinctive gait characteristics between the no-dementia and the imminent dementia groups in CDR 0.5 and CDR 1 remained the same as in the overall group. However, no gait differences were found between "VascD+LBD" and "AD+FTD" groups in the pre-dementia stages. Conclusion: Distinctive spatiotemporal gait characteristics were associated with specific dementia types up to 3 years before diagnosis. The association is influenced by the cognitive stage and age.

The relation between mortality, intramuscular adipose tissue and sarcopenia in hospitalized geriatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: One of the biggest healthcare challenges that arises with increasing age expectations is sarcopenia. However, as a multi-dimensional construct with both neurological and musculoskeletal factors involved, the exact contribution of these different components of sarcopenia to mortality outcomes is not clear. Therefore, in mortality assessment, it is advisable to use subitems of sarcopenia such as the intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), instead of using sarcopenia as a construct itself. IMAT is negatively correlated with strength and performance, and positively correlated with mortality, both all-cause and cardiovascular. In this study, IMAT and its relation to long-term mortality, muscle strength and function is studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients admitted to the University Geriatrics Department during 6 months were screened for muscle mass, strength and function through computed tomography (upper leg), Jamar dynamometer and short physical performance battery, respectively. After 4 years, health status (mortality) was obtained by telephone. RESULTS: Three hundred and two patients were included (69.6% female). Mean IMAT was 29.3 ± 12.3%. There was a positive correlation between IMAT and mortality in the male 70-79-year-old age group (n = 20), but not in the whole cohort. IMAT was negatively correlated with muscle strength and function. CONCLUSION: IMAT is negatively correlated with muscle strength and muscle function. IMAT is correlated with mortality in a specific subgroup of this cohort. This data adds to the discussion of the value of IMAT in the construct of sarcopenia. More studies need to be done regarding the evolution of IMAT in function of time and functional decline.

Spatiotemporal Gait Characteristics Associated with Cognitive Impairment: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study, the Intercontinental "Gait, cOgnitiOn & Decline" Initiative.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to determine the spatiotemporal gait parameters and/or their combination(s) that best differentiate between cognitively healthy individuals (CHI), patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and those with mild and moderate dementia, regardless of the etiology of cognitive impairment. METHODS: A total of 2099 participants (1015 CHI, 478 patients with MCI, 331 patients with mild dementia and 275 with moderate dementia) were selected from the intercontinental "Gait, cOgnitiOn & Decline" (GOOD) initiative, which merged different databases from seven cross-sectional studies. Mean values and coefficients of variation (CoV) of spatiotemporal gait parameters were recorded during usual walking with the GAITRite® system. RESULTS: The severity of cognitive impairment was associated with worse performance on all gait parameters. Stride velocity had the strongest association with cognitive impairment, regardless of cognitive status. High mean value and CoV of stride length characterized moderate dementia, whereas increased CoV of stride time was specific to MCI status. CONCLUSION: The findings support the existence of specific cognitive impairment-related gait disturbances with differences related to stages of cognitive impairment, which may be used to screen individuals with cognitive impairment.

Application of ultrasound for muscle assessment in sarcopenia: towards standardized measurements.

PURPOSE: Measurement of muscle mass is paramount in the screening and diagnosis of sarcopenia. Besides muscle quantity however, also quality assessment is important. Ultrasonography (US) has the advantage over dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bio-impedance analysis (BIA) to give both quantitative and qualitative information on muscle. However, before its use in clinical practice, several methodological aspects still need to be addressed. Both standardization in measurement techniques and the availability of reference values are currently lacking. This review aims to provide an evidence-based standardization of assessing appendicular muscle with the use of US. METHODS: A systematic review was performed for ultrasonography to assess muscle in older people. Pubmed, SCOPUS and Web of Sciences were searched. All articles regarding the use of US in assessing appendicular muscle were used. Description of US-specific parameters and localization of the measurement were retrieved. RESULTS: Through this process, five items of muscle assessment were identified in the evaluated articles: thickness, cross-sectional area, echogenicity, fascicle length and pennation angle. Different techniques for measurement and location of measurement used were noted, as also the different muscles in which this was evaluated. Then, a translation for a clinical setting in a standardized way was proposed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review provide thus an evidence base for an ultrasound protocol in the assessment of skeletal muscle. This standardization of measurements is the first step in creating conditions to further test the applicability of US for use on a large scale as a routine assessment and follow-up tool for appendicular muscle.

Intramuscular Adipose Tissue and the Functional Components of Sarcopenia in Hospitalized Geriatric Patients.

Intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) could be an important missing value in the assessment of sarcopenia. This study tries to determine the relation between IMAT, muscle strength, functionality and mortality. In addition, the relation with nutritional status is screened. For six months, all patients admitted to the University Geriatric Center of Antwerp were evaluated for strength (hand grip), functionality (short physical performance battery-SPPB) and nutritional status. After one year, patients/relatives were contacted to obtain a current health status (mortality). A total of 303 patients were included at a mean age of 83.0 ± 6.4 years. The mean percentage of IMAT was 29.2% ± 13.0% (range 3.2%⁻86.2%). There was a negative correlation between IMAT and both grip strength and SPPB. SPPB was positively correlated with both grip strength and muscle mass. There was a positive correlation between IMAT and mortality. There was a negative correlation between grip strength, SPPB and mortality. IMAT did not have a clear relation with nutritional status. IMAT should be addressed in the work-up of sarcopenia, as it is correlated with muscle strength, functionality and mortality. In this cohort of hospitalized geriatric patients, there is a mean of about one-third of measured muscle volume that appears to be adipose tissue.

Gait characteristics under different walking conditions: Association with the presence of cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older people.

BACKGROUND: Gait characteristics measured at usual pace may allow profiling in patients with cognitive problems. The influence of age, gender, leg length, modified speed or dual tasking is unclear. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis was performed on a data registry containing demographic, physical and spatial-temporal gait parameters recorded in five walking conditions with a GAITRite® electronic carpet in community-dwelling older persons with memory complaints. Four cognitive stages were studied: cognitively healthy individuals, mild cognitive impaired patients, mild dementia patients and advanced dementia patients. RESULTS: The association between spatial-temporal gait characteristics and cognitive stages was the most prominent: in the entire study population using gait speed, steps per meter (translation for mean step length), swing time variability, normalised gait speed (corrected for leg length) and normalised steps per meter at all five walking conditions; in the 50-to-70 years old participants applying step width at fast pace and steps per meter at usual pace; in the 70-to-80 years old persons using gait speed and normalised gait speed at usual pace, fast pace, animal walk and counting walk or steps per meter and normalised steps per meter at all five walking conditions; in over-80 years old participants using gait speed, normalised gait speed, steps per meter and normalised steps per meter at fast pace and animal dual-task walking. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for gender predicted in two compiled models the presence of dementia or cognitive impairment with acceptable accuracy in persons with memory complaints. CONCLUSION: Gait parameters in multiple walking conditions adjusted for age, gender and leg length showed a significant association with cognitive impairment. This study suggested that multifactorial gait analysis could be more informative than using gait analysis with only one test or one variable. Using this type of gait analysis in clinical practice could facilitate screening for cognitive impairment.

Falls, Cognitive Impairment, and Gait Performance: Results From the GOOD Initiative.

OBJECTIVES: Falls are highly prevalent in individuals with cognitive decline. The complex relationship between falls and cognitive decline (including both subtype and severity of dementia) and the influence of gait disorders have not been studied. This study aimed to examine the association between the subtype (Alzheimer disease [AD] versus non-AD) and the severity (from preclinical to moderate dementia) of cognitive impairment and falls, and to establish an association between falls and gait parameters during the course of dementia. DESIGN: Multicenter cross-sectional study. SETTING: "Gait, cOgnitiOn & Decline" (GOOD) initiative. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2496 older adults (76.6 ± 7.6 years; 55.0% women) were included in this study (1161 cognitively healthy individuals [CHI], 529 patients with mild cognitive impairment [MCI], 456 patients with mild dementia, and 350 with moderate dementia) from 7 countries. MEASUREMENTS: Falls history was collected retrospectively at baseline in each study. Gait speed and stride time variability were recorded at usual walking pace with the GAITRite system. RESULTS: The prevalence of individuals who fall was 50% in AD and 64% in non-AD; whereas it was 25% in CHIs. Only mild and moderate non-AD dementia were associated with an increased risk for falls in comparison with CHI. Higher stride time variability was associated with falls in older adults without dementia (CHI and each MCI subgroup) and mild non-AD dementia, whereas lower gait speed was associated with falls in all participant groups, except in mild AD dementia. When gait speed was adjusted for, higher stride time variability was associated with falls only in CHIs (odds ratio 1.14; P = .012), but not in MCI or in patients with dementia. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that non-AD, but not AD dementia, is associated with increased falls in comparison with CHIs. The association between gait parameters and falls also differs across cognitive status, suggesting different mechanisms leading to falls in older individuals with dementia in comparison with CHIs who fall.