Muscle Quality in Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

Charles Phillipe de Lucena Alves, Samuel Brito de Almeida, Danielle Pessoa Lima, Pedro Braga Neto, Ana Lúcia Miranda, Todd Manini, Lara Vlietstra, Debra L Waters, Renata Moraes Bielemann, Rosaly Correa-de-Araujo, Ana Paula Fayh, Eduardo Caldas Costa

Journal: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association 2023;24(4):462-467.e12

PMID: 36963436

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to map out currently available definitions and assessment methods of muscle quality in older adults.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

All available studies.

METHODS

Four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) were searched from inception to May 2022. Title, abstract, and full-text screening were undertaken by 2 reviewers independently. Observational and experimental studies were eligible for inclusion if there was a clear description of muscle quality assessment in individuals aged 60+ years.

RESULTS

A total of 96 articles were included. Several definitions and assessment methods of muscle quality were identified and divided into 2 main domains: (1) functional domain, and (2) morphological domain. A total of 70% and 30% of the included studies assessed muscle quality in the functional and morphological domains, respectively. In the functional domain, most studies defined muscle quality as the ratio of knee extension strength by leg lean mass (45.9%). In the morphological domain, most studies defined muscle quality as the echo intensity of quadriceps femoris by ultrasound (50.0%).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

There is a substantial heterogeneity of definitions and assessment methods of muscle quality in older adults. Herein, we propose a standardized definition of muscle quality to include terminology, domain, and assessment methods (tests, tools, and body sites). Such standardization may help researchers, clinicians, and decision makers use muscle quality as a potential marker of "skeletal muscle health" in older adults.

Address: Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.; Clinical Research Unit of Hospital Universitário Walter Cantidio, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Division of Geriatrics, Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.; Clinical Research Unit of Hospital Universitário Walter Cantidio, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Division of Geriatrics, Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil; Medical School, University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.; Medical School, University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Center of Health Sciences, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.; Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.; Institute on Aging, Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.; School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.; Clinical Research Unit of Hospital Universitário Walter Cantidio, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Medicine and School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Internal Medicine/Geriatrics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.; Clinical Research Unit of Hospital Universitário Walter Cantidio, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Graduate Program in Nutrition and Food, Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.; Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA.; Clinical Research Unit of Hospital Universitário Walter Cantidio, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.; Clinical Research Unit of Hospital Universitário Walter Cantidio, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; ExCE Research Group, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.02.012

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Aged, Sarcopenia, Muscle Strength, Muscle, Skeletal