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Sarcopenia, characterised by the loss of muscle mass and function, is a common condition among the elderly and is often associated with increased risk of falls. Certain medications, such as glucocorticoids, statins, and some antipsychotics, may exacerbate sarcopenia, leading to a higher incidence of falls. This study aims to explore the prevalence of such medicines in patients diagnosed with sarcopenia who have experienced falls. Understanding the impact of these medications on sarcopenia and fall risk can inform clinical guidelines and improve patient outcomes.
Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, is a recognised contributor to frailty, disability, and increased fall risk in older adults. While physical inactivity and comorbidities are known risk factors, increasing evidence suggests that certain medications - including corticosteroids, sedatives and statins - may also contribute to muscle decline. These medicines are frequently prescribed to older adults, but the extent of their use in patients with sarcopenia and falls remains poorly defined.
Falls clinics manage high-risk patients, yet there is currently limited research examining the prevalence of sarcopenia-promoting medications in this specific setting. This study addresses an important knowledge gap by estimating the prevalence of these medicines in older adults attending a secondary care falls clinic, and by exploring associations with sarcopenia and fall history.
The findings will support a better understanding of medication-related risk factors for sarcopenia and may help guide future deprescribing and medication review strategies. This aligns with current priorities in geriatric medicine to reduce inappropriate polypharmacy and improve outcomes for older adults through targeted, evidence-based prescribing.
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls (SARC-F) questionnaire | Diagnostic Test | Self-administered screening tool for sarcopenia | ||
| Hand grip strength | Diagnostic Test | Used to assess sarcopenia | ||
| Timed Up and Go test | Diagnostic Test | Screening test for falls in elderly | ||
| Gait speed | Diagnostic Test | Assessment to check for functional mobility and risk of falls. | ||
| Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) | Diagnostic Test | Used to assess level of frailty. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Prevalence of exposure to one or more sarcopenia-promoting medication | Proportion of adults aged 65 years and over attending the falls clinic who are prescribed one or more sarcopenia-promoting medication. Unit of measure: % of participants. | 6 months |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution of sarcopenia-promoting medication classes | Proportion of participants exposed to each medication class. Unit of measure: % of participants per medication class. | 6 months |
| Number of sarcopenia-promoting medications per participant |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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The study will be conducted in a multidisciplinary falls clinic at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, based in Gillingham, Kent, England, UK. This secondary care setting receives referrals primarily from inpatient hospital teams and primary care practitioners. The clinic routinely assesses older adults who have experienced falls or are at high risk of falling, and conducts comprehensive geriatric assessments, including medication reviews, functional status evaluations, and frailty assessments.
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Kamaldeep K Sahota, Pharmacist | Medway NHS Foundation Trust | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medway NHS Foundation Trust | Gillingham | Kent | ME7 5NY | United Kingdom |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25539567 | Result | Zia A, Kamaruzzaman SB, Tan MP. Polypharmacy and falls in older people: Balancing evidence-based medicine against falls risk. Postgrad Med. 2015 Apr;127(3):330-7. doi: 10.1080/00325481.2014.996112. Epub 2014 Dec 24. | |
| 28396180 | Result | Veronese N, Stubbs B, Noale M, Solmi M, Pilotto A, Vaona A, Demurtas J, Mueller C, Huntley J, Crepaldi G, Maggi S. Polypharmacy Is Associated With Higher Frailty Risk in Older People: An 8-Year Longitudinal Cohort Study. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2017 Jul 1;18(7):624-628. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2017.02.009. Epub 2017 Apr 7. |
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| Type | Includes Protocol | Includes SAP | Includes ICF | Document Label | Document Date | Document Uploaded Date | Document File Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prot_SAP | Yes | Yes | No | Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan | May 6, 2026 |
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Mean number of eligible medications prescribed per participant. Unit of measure: count.
| 6 months |
| Handgrip strength | Mean maximum grip strength measured with a Jamar dynamometer. Unit of Measure: Kilograms (kg). | 6 months |
| Gait speed | Mean walking speed measured over 4 metres. Unit of measure: metres per second (m/s) | 6 months |
| SARC-F score | SARC-F mean score. Unit of measure: points (0-10) | 6 months |
| Timed Up and Go Test | Mean time taken to stand from a chair, walk 3 metres, turn, walk back and sit down. Unit of measure: Seconds (s). | 6 months |
| Association between medication burden and functional performance | Comparison of grip strength, gait speed, SARC-F scores and Timed Up and Go performance across groups defined by medication burden e.g. 0-1 vs >2 sarcopenia promoting medications. Units of measure: Differences in mean values (kg, m/s, points, seconds). | 6 months |
| Result | Tanskanen, A., et al. (2015). Anticholinergic burden and physical functioning in older people: A systematic review. Drugs & Aging, 32(10), 741-750. |
| 28523252 | Result | Shafiee G, Keshtkar A, Soltani A, Ahadi Z, Larijani B, Heshmat R. Prevalence of sarcopenia in the world: a systematic review and meta- analysis of general population studies. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2017 May 16;16:21. doi: 10.1186/s40200-017-0302-x. eCollection 2017. |
| Result | Scott, D., et al. (2016). Sarcopenia and statin use: A potential link? Drugs & Aging, 33(1), 1-9. |
| Result | Reeve E, Wiese MD, Hendrix I, et al. (2014). The impact of deprescribing interventions on polypharmacy and clinical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 15(3):131-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2013.11.008 |
| Result | Rawle MJ, Westbury LD, Russell S, et al (2018). Anticholinergic drug burden and cognitive function in people aged 50 years and older: the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Age Ageing; 47(4):505-11 https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy026 |
| Result | Landi, F., et al. (2019). Polypharmacy and sarcopenia in older adults: A population-based study. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 20(5), 600-604.e7. |
| 22414775 | Result | Landi F, Liperoti R, Russo A, Giovannini S, Tosato M, Capoluongo E, Bernabei R, Onder G. Sarcopenia as a risk factor for falls in elderly individuals: results from the ilSIRENTE study. Clin Nutr. 2012 Oct;31(5):652-8. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2012.02.007. Epub 2012 Mar 11. |
| 21707557 | Result | Fox C, Richardson K, Maidment ID, Savva GM, Matthews FE, Smithard D, Coulton S, Katona C, Boustani MA, Brayne C. Anticholinergic medication use and cognitive impairment in the older population: the medical research council cognitive function and ageing study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011 Aug;59(8):1477-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03491.x. Epub 2011 Jun 24. |
| 31081853 | Result | Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyere O, Cederholm T, Cooper C, Landi F, Rolland Y, Sayer AA, Schneider SM, Sieber CC, Topinkova E, Vandewoude M, Visser M, Zamboni M; Writing Group for the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2), and the Extended Group for EWGSOP2. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019 Jul 1;48(4):601. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afz046. No abstract available. |
| 20015034 | Result | Corsonello A, Pedone C, Incalzi RA. Age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes and related risk of adverse drug reactions. Curr Med Chem. 2010;17(6):571-84. doi: 10.2174/092986710790416326. |
| Jun 11, 2026 |
| Prot_SAP_002.pdf |
| ICF | No | No | Yes | Informed Consent Form | May 6, 2026 | Jun 11, 2026 | ICF_003.pdf |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D055948 | Sarcopenia |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D009133 | Muscular Atrophy |
| D020879 | Neuromuscular Manifestations |
| D009461 | Neurologic Manifestations |
| D009422 | Nervous System Diseases |
| D001284 | Atrophy |
| D020763 | Pathological Conditions, Anatomical |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D007316 | Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous |
| D016138 | Walking |
| D018737 | Hand Strength |
| D000072797 | Walking Speed |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D007315 | Insemination, Artificial |
| D027724 | Reproductive Techniques, Assisted |
| D012099 | Reproductive Techniques |
| D013812 | Therapeutics |
| D008919 | Investigative Techniques |
| D007314 | Insemination |
| D012098 | Reproduction |
| D055703 | Reproductive Physiological Phenomena |
| D012101 | Reproductive and Urinary Physiological Phenomena |
| D008124 | Locomotion |
| D009068 | Movement |
| D009142 | Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena |
| D055687 | Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena |
| D015444 | Exercise |
| D009043 | Motor Activity |
| D053580 | Muscle Strength |
| D010808 | Physical Examination |
| D019937 | Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures |
| D003933 | Diagnosis |
| D005684 | Gait |
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