Myopenia-a new universal term for muscle wasting

Kenneth Fearon, William J Evans, Stefan D Anker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A universal term describing the presence of clinically relevant muscle wasting that warrants medical intervention is required. The term sarcopenia might be used in this context. However, common use now means that sarcopenia is more often regarded as synonymous with age-associated muscle wasting in the elderly. We suggest the term "myopenia" to indicate the presence of clinically relevant muscle wasting due to any illness and at any age. This term would translate well into any language and is sufficiently specific if appropriately defined. We suggest to define myopenia as a clinically relevant degree of muscle wasting that is associated either with impaired functional capacity and/or with increased risk of morbidity or mortality. The precise cut-points to define myopenia may be different in various diseases. Myopenia could be diagnosed when a certain degree of muscle wasting over time has occurred (for instance, at least 5% in 6-12 months) or when muscle mass is below a certain threshold level (for instance, the
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-3
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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