• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2021

Background: Muscle undergoes change continuously with aging. Sarcopenia, in which muscle mass decrease with aging, is associated with various diseases, the risk of falling, and the deterioration of quality of life. Obesity and sarcopenia also have a synergy effect on the disease of the older adults. Objects: This study examined the risk factors for sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and sarcopenia without obesity and developed prediction models. Methods: This machine-learning study used the 2008-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys in the analysis. After data curation, 5,563 older participants were selected, of whom 1,169 had sarcopenia, 538 had sarcopenic obesity, and 631 had sarcopenia without obesity; the remaining 4,394 were normal. Decision tree and random forest models were used to identify risk factors. Results: The risk factors for sarcopenia chosen by both methods were body mass index (BMI) and duration of moderate physical activity; those for sarcopenic obesity were sex, BMI, and duration of moderate physical activity; and those for sarcopenia without obesity were BMI and sex. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of all prediction models exceeded 0.75. BMI could predict sarcopenia-related disease. Conclusion: Risk factors for sarcopenia-related diseases should be identified and programs for sarcopenia-related disease prevention should be developed. Data-mining research using population data should be conducted to enhance the effectiveness of early treatment for people with sarcopenia-related diseases through predictive models.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2023

Purpose : This study was conducted to identify the common characteristics of older persons with sarcopenia and to explore the relationship between gait, balance, and stress using an integrated assessment tool. Methods : In this study, 95 people aged 65 years or older were screened using the sarcopenia diagnostic evaluation algorithm presented by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia in 2019. Skeletal muscle index, grip strength, and short physical performance battery were used as sarcopenia evaluation measurements. Based on the results of this evaluation, participants were grouped into the 'non-sarcopenia group' (41 participants) or the 'sarcopenia group' (54 participants). Participants underwent further assessment using an integrated evaluation tool capable of measuring gait, balance, and stress. Gait ability was evaluated using the timed up and go test, and balance ability was evaluated using the berg balance scale. And the stress of the last month was measured by modifying the stress index developed by a Korean researcher. Collected data were statistically analyzed using the independent t-test and Mann Whitney-U test. Results : The sarcopenia group and the non-sarcopenia group showed significant differences in all elements of the sarcopenia diagnostic evaluation. There were significant differences in all three integrated evaluation tools. For the evaluation of walking ability, the time measured in the timed up and go test was longer in the sarcopenia group, the berg balance scale score for the evaluation of balance ability was lower in the sarcopenia group, and the stress index was higher in the sarcopenia group. Conclusion : Through sarcopenia analysis using an integrated evaluation tool, it was confirmed that sarcopenia is closely related to decreased walking ability, poor balance, and increased stress. We recommend using this tool to reduce the risk of sarcopenia progression and stress exposure through the planning and implementation of an exercise program for sarcopenia prevention.

• Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.117-122
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• 2017

Sarcopenia is the degenerative loss of muscle mass and function with aging. Recently sarcopenia was recognized as a clinical disease by the International Classification of Disease, 10th revision, Clinical Modification. An imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation causes a gradual loss of muscle mass, resulting in a decline of muscle function as a progress of sarcopenia. Many mechanisms involved in the onset of sarcopenia include age-related factors as well as activity-, disease-, and nutrition-related factors. The stage of sarcopenia reflecting the severity of conditions assists clinical management of sarcopenia. It is important that systemic descriptions of the disease conditions include age, sex, and other environmental risk factors as well as levels of physical function. To develop a new therapeutic intervention needed is the detailed understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms by which apoptosis, autophagy, atrophy, and hypertrophy occur in the muscle stem cells, myotubes, and/or neuromuscular junction. The new strategy to managing sarcopenia will be signal-modulating small molecules, natural compounds, repurposing of old drugs, and muscle-specific microRNAs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2023

Sarcopenia is a condition in which muscle mass, strength, and performance decrease with age. It is associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, and contributes to an increase in mortality. Because managing sarcopenia is critical for maintaining good health and quality of life for the elderly, the condition has sparked concern among many researchers. To counteract sarcopenia, intake of protein is an important factor, while a lack of either protein or vitamin D is a major cause of sarcopenia. In addition, essential amino acids, leucine, β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB), creatine, and citrulline are used as supplements for muscle health and are suggested as alternatives for controlling sarcopenia. There are many studies on such proteins and supplements, but it is necessary to actually organize the types, amounts, and methods by which proteins and supplements should be consumed to inhibit sarcopenia. In this study, the efficacy of proteins and supplements for controlling sarcopenia according to human clinical studies is summarized to provide suggestions about how the elderly may consume proteins, amino acids, and other supplements.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2021

Objectives: Sarcopenia is a common disease in the elderly population that causes disability, poor quality of life, and a high risk of death. In the current study, we conducted a meta-analysis to report basic knowledge about the prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly in Korea. Methods: We searched for articles in the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases published until December 28, 2020. Studies investigating the prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly Koreans aged ≥65 years were included. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Publication bias was evaluated using the Egger test and funnel plots. Results: In total, 3 studies and 2922 patients were included in the meta-analysis. All 3 studies used the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. The total prevalence of sarcopenia was 13.1-14.9% in elderly men and 11.4% in elderly women. Conclusions: This meta-analysis is the first to estimate the pooled prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly Koreans, and its findings suggest that sarcopenia is common in this population. Therefore, attention should be paid to the prevention and control of sarcopenia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.401-411
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• 2021

Diet is important for muscle health and offers a protective effects against the loss of skeletal muscle mass and physical functions with advancing age. We analyzed the relationship between diet, metabolic disease risk, and sarcopenia in Korean female adults using the 2009-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). A total of 2038 adult women aged 50-64 years were classified into four groups based on the diagnosis of menopause and sarcopenia. The groups were the non-menopause and non-sarcopenia group (NMNS, n=249), the non-menopause and sarcopenia group (NMS, n=14), the menopause and non-sarcopenia group (MNS, n=1,653), and the menopause and sarcopenia group (MS, n=122). The socio-demographics, anthropometrics, blood profile, and dietary data of the subjects were collected. Those who were in both the sarcopenia groups were more obese (p<0.001), had greater waist circumferences (p<0.001), higher body mass index (p<0.001), and higher obesity rates (p<0.001) after adjustment for covariants. Both the sarcopenia groups also had higher plasma levels of total cholesterol (p<0.001), HbA1c (p=0.001), and vitamin D (p=0.020) than both the non-sarcopenia groups. Both the sarcopenia groups demonstrated a decreased intake of calcium (p=0.05), potassium (p=0.008), and niacin (p=0.008) than both the non-sarcopenia ones. Among the four groups, the NMS group showed the highest levels of total cholesterol, obesity, and lowest intake of micronutrients such as calcium, niacin, and potassium. Thus, muscle mass maintenance through weight control and adequate nutrient intake appears to demonstrate a potential association with preventing sarcopenia in Korean middle-aged women.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.352-364
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Given the increasing proportion of the Korean population that is aged 65 years and older, the present study analyzed the relationship between diet quality and sarcopenia in elderly persons by using data from the 2008-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data for 3,373 persons aged 65 years and over (men: 1,455, 43.1%) were selected from the 2008-2011 KNHANES. Sarcopenia assessments are based on a formula that divides a subject's appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) by their weight (wt) and multiplies that result by 100 ([ASM/wt] × 100). Sarcopenia is present if the subject's result was less than one standard deviation (SD) below the sex-specific mean for a young reference group. For evaluation of diet quality, data obtained via the 24-hour recall method were used to calculate the Diet Quality Index for Koreans (DQI-K). A general linear model was applied in order to analyze general information and nutritional intake according to sarcopenia status. For analysis of the relationship between diet quality and sarcopenia, a binominal logistic regression analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: The sarcopenia prevalence rate among the study subjects aged 65 years and over was 37.6%. The DQI-K of those without sarcopenia was 3.33 ± 0.04 points, while that of those with sarcopenia was 3.45 ± 0.04 points (P < 0.05). The relationship between diet quality and sarcopenia revealed that subjects aged 75 and older had a poor diet quality, and their odds ratio (OR) of sarcopenia presence was significantly higher (OR: 1.807, 95% confidence interval: 1.003-3.254, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that poor diet quality was related to sarcopenia presence in Koreans aged 75 and older. In order to improve the diet quality of the elderly (aged 75 and older), it is necessary to develop dietary improvement guidelines.

• Journal of Bone Metabolism
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2018

Background: Few studies have investigated the effects of sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes including mortality rates following surgery for osteoporotic hip fractures. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and the relationship between sarcopenia and 1- and 5-year mortality rates in a consecutive series of patients with osteoporotic hip fractures. Methods: Among patients who underwent hip surgery for osteoporotic hip fractures, this study included 91 patients subjected to abdominal computed tomography within 1 year of hip surgery. We defined sarcopenia using sex-specific cut-off points for the skeletal muscle index at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. All patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of sarcopenia and the 1- and 5-year mortality rates were compared. To confirm factors affecting mortality in addition to sarcopenia, we examined patient age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, location of fracture, type of surgery, and bone mineral density. Results: The 1- and 5-year mortality rates were 20.9% and 67.2%, respectively. Among the 45 patients with sarcopenia, the 1- and 5-year mortality rates were 22.2% and 82.7%, respectively. Of the 46 patients without sarcopenia, the 1- and 5-year mortality rates were 19.6% and 52.7%, respectively. Results of the Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that sarcopenia did not affect the 1-year mortality rate (P=0.793), but had a significant effect on the 5-year mortality rate (P=0.028). Both perioperative sarcopenia (P=0.018) and osteoporosis (P=0.000) affected the 5-year mortality rate. Conclusions: Sarcopenia increases the risk of 5-year mortality in patients with osteoporotic hip fractures.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Purpose : This study was conducted to assess the status of sarcopenia and locomotive syndrome in the Korean elderly population over 65 years of age by applying the recently updated screening tool for diagnostic evaluation of sarcopenia and locomotive syndrome. Methods : Sarcopenia and locomotive syndrome (LS) were diagnosed and evaluated in 210 Korean elderly people over 65 years of age. There were 36 patients in the "sarcopenia group", 164 in the "locomotive syndrome group", and 10 in the "normal group". The collected data were analyzed using the chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results : The diagnostic evaluation of sarcopenia and LS showed the presence of sarcopenia in 9.05 % of males and 8.10% females among the Korean elderly population over 65 years of age. Prevalence of stage 1 locomotive syndrome (LS 1) was 95.24 %; stage 2, (LS 2) 36.19 %; and stage 3 (LS 3), 16.19 % among the study population. Both the sarcopenia diagnostic indicator and the LS evaluation indicators showed significant differences between the three groups. All the subjects in the sarcopenia group had LS; further, on comparison of the detailed composition ratio of each patient with LS, the prevalence of LS in the sarcopenia group was found to be: LS 1 41.67 %, LS 2 41.67 %, and LS 3 16.67 %, whereas in the LS group, it was found to be: LS 1 66.46 %, LS 2 16.46 %, and LS 3 17.07 %. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. Conclusion : It was confirmed that sarcopenia is correlated with LS incidence. This suggests that the evaluation of motor LS can be used as a tool for the early diagnosis and prevention of sarcopenia in cases of functional decline due to aging in the elderly population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.19-27
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This investigation in the study aimed to assess to determine proportion and susceptibility makers of sarcopenia in Korean younger female aged 30 to 39 years. METHODS: To address the complex sampling design of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, appropriate individual weights were incorporated into the analysis. The data employed a stratified, clustered, multistage probability sampling design. A total of 2,098 participants were enrolled and categorized into two groups based on their skeletal muscle mass index scores. One hundred and twenty-four individuals were placed in the sarcopenia group, while 2,024 were allocated to a normal group. The study examined various markers as variables, including age, height, weight, body mass index waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels, and smoking and drinking habits. RESULTS: The study found that proportion of sarcopenia in this population was 3.78% (CI: 2.89-4.94) in sarcopenia group and 96.22% (CI: 95.06-97.11) in normal with weighed values. Several susceptibilities including height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol levels were risk factor for sarcopenia (p < .05), exhibited significant differences between the sarcopenia and normal groups. CONCLUSION: This investigation provides the proportion of sarcopenia and identifies relevant susceptibility markers among community dwelling younger women in Korea.