Chronology of age-related disease definitions: Osteoporosis and sarcopenia

Abstract

Low muscle mass at older age has been associated with functional impairments, cognitive decline and mortality. The term sarcopenia, coined in 1988, has been used interchangeably to describe low muscle mass, strength, and function. Without a well defined definition, results of studies using the term sarcopenia cannot be compared. Difficulties in defining sarcopenia parallel the history of defining osteoporosis. To understand critical steps that are needed to reach consensus in defining age-related diseases, we have identified milestones in the history of defining osteoporosis and compared these to sarcopenia. As a result, the main missing steps in the process of defining sarcopenia are: speci..