Muscle Ultrasound for Sarcopenia Leading to Early Detection
Condition: Sarcopenia
MeSH terms: Sarcopenia
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Sarcopenia is an age-related loss of muscle mass that may affect over 25% of individuals over
      the age of 60 and results in a 3 to 4 times increased likelihood of developing a disability.
      Despite these observations, sarcopenia is rarely subject to a systematic screening process as
      a part of customary geriatric care. Furthermore, when lean body mass (LBM) is measured via
      dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in older adults, it is typically within a reactive,
      hospital-based, model of healthcare where muscle wasting is only assessed after a loss of
      functional independence. The investigators propose an affordable, portable screening method
      with ultrasound imaging to be performed in primary care settings.

      The investigators long term goal is to identify individuals at risk, and intervene with
      treatments that may prevent the onset of debilitating loss of muscle function in the elderly.
    

Detailed description: 
      Purpose: The overall goal of this pilot project is to validate a rapid, portable,
      cost-effective, sarcopenia identification method using diagnostic sonography. This method
      would be used for screening to aid early detection, diagnosis in clinical settings, and
      monitoring the effects of formal intervention. The investigators central hypothesis is that
      the sonographic muscle characteristics will be significantly associated with estimates of
      lean body mass (LBM) and functional status.

      Research Setting: George Washington University, Exercise Science Laboratory.

      Participants: Subjects will include a healthy young reference group (18 - 29 years of age)
      and an older comparison group (55 - 75 years of age; n = 15 per group; approximately 50%
      female), consecutively recruited from George Washington University and the surrounding
      community.

      Implications/Significance: Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound is a portable, inexpensive
      modality suitable for bedside use or community health initiatives, and features no exposure
      to low-dose radiation. It is important to note that DXA is considered a relatively low cost
      procedure, and DXA-based measures may continue to be used as the standard for the sarcopenia
      syndrome LBM criterion. Consequently, this study will examine if LBM values obtained with
      ultrasound may serve as a viable proxy of LBM measures obtained with DXA.

      The innovation in the investigators study is reflected by a proactive approach to sarcopenia
      screening that is responsive to the growing shift of healthcare from hospitals to
      alternative, community-based settings.
    

Intervention name(s): DXA scanning
Intervention type(s): Radiation
Intervention description(s): Exposure: Participants will undergo DXA scanning in the supine position per manufacturer guidelines to estimate absolute and percentage of total lean body mass (LBM) and body fat (BF).
Other intervention name(s): Radiograph, x-rays
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Enrolled subjects in this pilot study will include a healthy young reference group (18 - 29
        years of age) and an older comparison group (55 - 75 years of age; n = 15 per group;
        approximately 50% female), consecutively recruited from George Washington University and
        the surrounding community.
      
Keywords: sarcopenia; screening; geriatrics; muscle; aging; ultrasound