The goal of this study is to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in a geriatric hospital ward. Sarcopenia is defined by a loss of muscle mass, loss of muscle strength and loss of muscle quality. It is a geriatric syndrome that, to this date, is not systematically tracked in clinical practice. In order to detect sarcopenia, the investigators will use the operational definition proposed by the European Working Group (EWGSOP) involving the measure of three parameters, namely the speed of walking, the muscle strength and the measurement of the muscular mass.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
834
The assessment of sarcopenia is performed according to the recommendations of the EWGSOP (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older people). Three measurements are made: * Muscle mass measurement by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). * Walking speed measurement * Hand grip test A diagnosis of sarcopenia is established if the walking speed is inferior to 0.8 m/sec, the muscular strength is low and the muscular mass is low. Data regarding the geriatric characteristics of this sarcopenic population will be collected.
CHU Brugmann
Brussels, Belgium
Prevalence of sarcopenia
Sarcopenia detection will be performed at the end of each hospitalization stay in unit 83 of the CHU Brugmann Hospital (Geriatry Department)
Time frame: From 10/01/2016 till 30/03/2017 (up to 15 months)
Percentage of hospitalized patients unable to perform the sarcopenia detection test
Systematic retrospective review of patients hospitalised in the geriatric ward of the CHU Brugmann hospital during the length of the study, in order to determine the percentage of patients that could not, because of one of more exclusion criteria, perform the sarcopenia detection test.
Time frame: From 10/01/2016 till 30/03/2017 (up to 15 months)
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