Clinical practice for sarcopenia in Asia: Online survey by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia
Issued Date
2023-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01674943
eISSN
18726976
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85165247926
Journal Title
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Volume
115
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Vol.115 (2023)
Suggested Citation
Yamada M., Lee W.J., Akishita M., Yang M., Kang L., Kim S., Lim J.P., Lim W.S., Merchant R.A., Ong T., Peng L.N., Phannarus H., Tan M.P., Tay L., Won C.W., Woo J., Chen L.K., Arai H. Clinical practice for sarcopenia in Asia: Online survey by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Vol.115 (2023). doi:10.1016/j.archger.2023.105132 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/88133
Title
Clinical practice for sarcopenia in Asia: Online survey by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia
Author's Affiliation
Sengkang General Hospital
Siriraj Hospital
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Graduate School of Medicine
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
West China School of Medicine/West China Hospital of Sichuan University
National University Hospital
Universiti Malaya
KyungHee University College of Medicine
National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology
Prince of Wales Hospital Hong Kong
University of Tsukuba
National Chiao Tung University
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Siriraj Hospital
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Graduate School of Medicine
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
West China School of Medicine/West China Hospital of Sichuan University
National University Hospital
Universiti Malaya
KyungHee University College of Medicine
National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology
Prince of Wales Hospital Hong Kong
University of Tsukuba
National Chiao Tung University
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to (1) investigate the clinical practice for the management of sarcopenia among healthcare professionals in Asia, (2) determine the characteristics of clinical care provided by geriatricians versus by other healthcare professionals, and (3) clarify the awareness of sarcopenia. Methods: From December 1 to 31, 2022, an online survey was completed by 1990 healthcare professionals in Asia. The survey comprises demographics and institutional characteristics, basic sarcopenia-related details, and sarcopenia-related assessment and treatment details. Results: The mean respondent age was 44.2 ± 10.7 years, 36.4% of the respondents were women, and the mean years of experience in clinical practice were 19.0 ± 10.6 years. The percentages of respondents who were aware of the term “sarcopenia”, its definition and the importance of its management were high, at 99.3%, 91.9%, and 97.2%, respectively. The percentages of respondents who had screened patients for, diagnosed patients with, and treated patients for sarcopenia were 42.4%, 42.9%, and 58.8%, respectively. Medical doctors had higher performance rates compared to allied health professionals (45.5% vs. 40.5% for screening, 56.8% vs. 34.5% for diagnosis, and 65.0% vs. 55.0% for treatment) (P < 0.001). Especially, among medical doctors, geriatricians had significantly higher rates compared to non-geriatricians (64.3% vs. 34.1% for screening; 76.7% vs. 44.8% for diagnosis; 82.7% vs. 54.4% for treatment, respectively) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Although the importance of the concept and management of sarcopenia is well recognized, there is a gap in its detection and management in clinical practice between medical doctors and allied health professionals, and also between geriatricians and non-geriatricians. Many geriatricians collaborate with other healthcare professionals to appropriately manage sarcopenia. In the future, educating all medical staff on the proper management of sarcopenia is necessary.