Abstract
The prevalence of sarcopenia will inevitably increase as the population ages in Singapore, rendering it a growing public health concern with a significant impact on healthcare resources. This article firstly summarizes the current understanding of the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of sarcopenia, focusing on community-dwelling older individuals. Early identification is key to preventing and minimizing muscle loss. Appropriate interventions, including resistance exercise training, nutritional interventions and prehabilitation program, should be tailored to each patient. We suggest several key actions to ultimately improve awareness and overcome challenges in identifying and managing sarcopenia to improve patient outcomes. A paradigm shift where muscle health is seen as an integral component to maintaining good health with longer lifespan is needed. Education–of healthcare professionals and the public–serves as the foundation to improving awareness of muscle health and sarcopenia, and to promoting physical exercise across the age spectrum for sarcopenia prevention. The use of cost-effective evidence-based modalities (e.g., calf circumference measurement, 5-times chair stand test or bioelectric impedance assessment) enable early identification of muscle loss in routine practice. Providing subsidies for nutritional interventions (e.g., oral nutritional supplements) and exercise (e.g., ActiveSG gym membership) would encourage uptake of and adherence to interventions. Further high-quality research on interventions and their outcomes is important to determine the optimal strategy in different patient populations and to demonstrate clinical significance and value of addressing sarcopenia. Having local champions within healthcare institution would facilitate the much-needed change in healthcare culture where muscle health is a part of routine clinical practice.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 258-266 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Frailty and Aging |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 13 Jul 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The development of this manuscript was supported by Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Pte Ltd., which was strictly limited to editorial support provided by the medical writer (see acknowledgements). All authors did not receive any honorarium from Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Pte Ltd. for the preparation of this manuscript. Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Pte Ltd. had no role in the preparation or approval of this manuscript.
Funding Information:
Medical writing support for this manuscript was provided by Tricia Newell, PhD, from In Vivo Communications Pte Ltd.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).
Funding
The development of this manuscript was supported by Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Pte Ltd., which was strictly limited to editorial support provided by the medical writer (see acknowledgements). All authors did not receive any honorarium from Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Pte Ltd. for the preparation of this manuscript. Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Pte Ltd. had no role in the preparation or approval of this manuscript. Medical writing support for this manuscript was provided by Tricia Newell, PhD, from In Vivo Communications Pte Ltd.
Keywords
- aged
- diagnosis
- muscles
- Sarcopenia
- Singapore