Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Its Geriatric Features

Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Its Geriatric Features

The goal of this study is to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in a geriatric hospital ward.

Sarcopenia is defined by a loss of muscle mass, loss of muscle strength and loss of muscle quality. It is a geriatric syndrome that, to this date, is not systematically tracked in clinical practice.

In order to detect sarcopenia, the investigators will use the operational definition proposed by the European Working Group (EWGSOP) involving the measure of three parameters, namely the speed of walking, the muscle strength and the measurement of the muscular mass.

Inclusion Criteria:

• To be admitted in the unit 83 of the Geriatric Departement of the CHU Brugmann hospital, from 10/01/2016 till 30/03/2017.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients unable to consent or without representatives
• Patients unable to perform the hand- grip test, the walk test or measurement of the body components by DEXA
• Patients in severe pain
• Bedridden patients
• Patients for which a clear therapeutic abstention has been established
• Language barriere that cannot be overcome
• Patients unable to walk without the help of a third person