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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403273
Research Project: Nutrition, Sarcopenia, Physical Function, and Skeletal Muscle Capacity During Aging

Location: Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging

Title: Limited physician knowledge of sarcopenia: a survey

Author
item GURALNIK, JACK - University Of Maryland School Of Medicine
item CAWTHON, PEGGY - California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
item BHASIN, SHALENDER - Brigham & Women'S Hospital
item FIELDING, ROGER - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item MAGAZINER, JAY - University Of Maryland School Of Medicine
item CRUZ-JENTOFT, ALFONSO - Hospital Ramon Y Cajal
item VELLAS, BRUNO - University Hospital Center Of Toulouse
item CLARKE, LINDSEY - Alliance For Aging Research
item LATTIMER, LAURA - Reingold Inc
item EVANS, WILLIAMS - University Of California Berkeley

Submitted to: Journal of American Geriatric Society
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2022
Publication Date: 1/10/2023
Citation: Guralnik, J., Cawthon, P., Bhasin, S., Fielding, R.A., Magaziner, J., Cruz-Jentoft, A.J., Vellas, B., Clarke, L., Lattimer, L., Evans, W. 2023. Limited physician knowledge of sarcopenia: a survey. Journal of American Geriatric Society. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18227.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18227

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Background Sarcopenia, a reduction in skeletal muscle mass and function, is a condition that contributes to functional decline and disability in older adults. Although research on this geriatric condition has developed rapidly in recent years, little work has been done to document whether practicing physicians are incorporating sarcopenia into their clinical practice. Methods An online survey of 253 practicing physicians assessed knowledge of sarcopenia, use of the term in practice, motivation for screening patients, and diagnostic and treatment approaches. They were board certified in four practice areas: internal medicine (n=69), family medicine (n=69), geriatrics (n=40), or physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) (n=75). Results Less than 20% of internists and family medicine physicians reported being very familiar with the term sarcopenia, with substantially higher familiarity reported among geriatricians and PM&R specialists. Two additional findings pointed to deficiencies in sarcopenia knowledge and practice: participants substantially overestimated the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults compared to published studies, and over 75% reported not typically using specific diagnostic criteria or being unsure if their approach utilized any specific criteria. When asked what terminology they use in a medical chart for a patient presenting with significant loss of muscle mass and strength, only 8% said sarcopenia. However, physicians seemed to have good motivations to screen for loss of muscle and strength including a concern for falls prevention and loss of independence and mobility. More than three quarters reported they would screen after hospitalization, extended bed rest, and acute injury, or a fall. Conclusions Sarcopenia, a condition that can have a major impact on older adults as they age, has not been fully incorporated into the knowledge base and practices of active physicians. Universal agreement on criteria for diagnosis, as well as improved dissemination of information on sarcopenia are needed.