An Indian Consensus on Sarcopenia: Epidemiology, Etiology, Clinical Impact, Screening, and Therapeutic Approaches

• Published in: International journal of general medicine Vol. 18; pp. 1731 - 1745
• Main Authors: Kalra, Sanjay, Shaikh, Irfan, Shende, Sachin, Kapoor, Nitin, Unnikrishnan, AG, Sharma, OP, Tiwaskar, Mangesh, Vora, Agam, Verma, Suneet, Kantroo, Viny, Mehta, Prashant, Lovesley, Daphnee, Sivakumar, Nandakumar, Kukreja, Bharat, Kulkarni, Kiran, Deora, Ankita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2025; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Body fat; Body mass index; Cancer; Chronic illnesses; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Diabetes; dynamometer; Epidemiology; Expert Opinion; Geriatrics; handgrip strength; Health aspects; Inflammation; Kidney diseases; Lifestyles; Malnutrition; medical nutrition therapy; Medicine; Mortality; Muscle function; muscle strength; Musculoskeletal system; Obesity; Older people; Oncology; Respiratory diseases; Sarcopenia; Sedentary behavior; Sports medicine; Womens health; Working groups; India; South Asia; muscle strength; dynamometer; handgrip strength; medical nutrition therapy; sarcopenia
• ISSN: 1178-7074; 1178-7074
• DOI: 10.2147/IJGM.S510412

The burden of sarcopenia in India continues to be of significant concern. Its diagnosis is challenging due to the lack of standardized cutoffs for assessing muscle strength, quantity, and function among Indians. This consensus aims to identify features of sarcopenia in Indians and provide culturally relevant recommendations for its management. An expert panel from diverse medical specialties across India arrived at a consensus using the modified Delphi method. The panel recommended that a baseline handgrip strength (HGS) cutoff value of <27.5 kg in males and 18.0 kg in females be defined as low muscle strength for the Indian population. All patients with comorbidities should be screened for sarcopenia. In people with sarcopenia, resistance exercise and nutrition with specialized nutrients such as protein, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), and micronutrients for at least 3 months were recommended as key interventions.