COVID-19 and Acute Sarcopenia

Carly Welch, Carolyn Greig, Tahir Masud, Daisy Wilson, Thomas A Jackson, Carly Welch, Carolyn Greig, Tahir Masud, Daisy Wilson, Thomas A Jackson

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating global impact, with older adults being most at risk of death from the disease. However, acute sarcopenia occurs in survivors of COVID-19; older adults and the most critically unwell patients are the most at risk. Acute sarcopenia is an under-recognised condition of acute muscle insufficiency, defined by declines in muscle function and/or quantity within six months, usually following a stressor event. This commentary reviews definition and mechanisms of acute sarcopenia in COVID-19 and suggests recommendations for research and clinical practice. Research should now focus on the longer-term consequences of acute sarcopenia in patients who have suffered from COVID-19. At the same time, clinicians need to be increasingly aware of the condition, and measurements of muscle strength, quantity, and physical performance should be embedded into clinical practice. Clinicians should consider the risks of acute sarcopenia when weighing up the risks and benefits of treatment (e.g. dexamethasone), and instigate multidisciplinary treatment including dietetics input.

Keywords: COVID-19; acute; sarcopenia.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interests The authors declare that they do not have any conflicts of interest.

copyright: © 2020 Welch et al.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mechanisms of acute sarcopenia development with COVID-19. Precipitating factors for acute sarcopenia with COVID-19 are demonstrated by pathways and predisposing factors are shown separately. MPB = Muscle Protein Breakdown; MPS = Muscle Protein Synthesis

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