Sarcopenia in aging: Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and new approaches to prevention and treatment (literature review)

Sarcopenia is a geriatric disorder characterised by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and deterioration of muscle function. It is a growing, often underdiagnosed health problem. Its prevalence in the elderly population is highly variable, ranging from 5% to 50% depending on gender, age, underlying conditions, and diagnostic criteria. Sarcopenia is diagnosed by the presence of low muscle mass combined with low muscle strength or low physical performance. There is no uniform approach to treatment or assessment, further complicating the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Treatment options for sarcopenia include non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches. Non-pharmacological approaches include strength training and adequate nutrition. Of these two approaches, strength training is the standard non-pharmacological treatment for sarcopenia, supported by significant positive results. Certain dietary approaches, such as adequate protein intake, vitamin D, antioxidants, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, have also shown positive effects in combating sarcopenia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any specific medications for the treatment of sarcopenia. Future research should focus on the biological mechanisms of sarcopenia and improved diagnostic approaches, such as biomarkers for early detection the development of consistently effective treatments, and the creation of sensitive indicators for predicting treatment response