The feasibility and acceptability of muscle biopsy in epidemiological studies: findings from the Hertfordshire Sarcopenia Study (HSS).
BACKGROUND
Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and strength, is associated adversely with disability, morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological findings suggest influences operating across the life course may be important. Our aim was to ascertain the feasibility and acceptability of obtaining muscle tissue from healthy older people in order to ultimately identify cellular mechanisms underlying life course influences on sarcopenia.


METHODS
105 men with documented birth weight consented to detailed assessment of muscle mass and strength, and a biopsy of the vastus lateralis using the Weil-Blakesley conchotome. Acceptability was ascertained by questionnaire and a 100 mm pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). 100 mm indicated severe pain.


RESULTS
Muscle biopsy was successfully carried out in 102 out of 105 participants, mean yield 107 mg (range 20-290 mg). There were no serious wound complications. Ninety-three participants completed feedback questionnaires. The median pain VAS score during the procedure was 7 mm (Interquartile range [IQR] 1-34), 4 mm (IQR 0-16) one day after the procedure and 1mm (IQR 0-4) 7 days after the procedure. 60 (65%) participants were back to their normal levels of activity one day after the procedure. 85 (91%) found this procedure acceptable and would have the procedure again.


CONCLUSIONS
Muscle biopsy using a Weil-Blakesley conchotome is both feasible and acceptable in community dwelling older men participating in epidemiological research. The excellent yield of biopsy tissue will allow morphological and molecular studies of muscle to be integrated into an epidemiological study facilitating investigation of the mechanisms underpinning sarcopenia that could potentially be altered by life course influences.
Academic Geriatric Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK. hp@mrc.soton.ac.uk
Harnish
H
Patel
H E
HE
Syddall
H J
HJ
Martin
C
C
Cooper
C
C
Stewart
A A
AA
Sayer
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000473:pathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Aug;91(8):3024-33
16705073
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Jan;52(1):80-5
14687319
J Lab Clin Med. 2001 Apr;137(4):231-43
11283518
J Perianesth Nurs. 2001 Feb;16(1):35-40
11266644
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2000 Sep;279(3):C611-8
10942711
Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1978 Aug 15;39(2):73-80
689010
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2004 Sep;59(9):M930-4
15472158
Age Ageing. 2006 Jul;35(4):409-15
16690636
J Clin Neuromuscul Dis. 2005 Sep;7(1):36-41
19078780
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1987 Nov;50(11):1461-7
3694206
Diabetes Care. 1994 May;17(5):382-6
8062604
J Rheumatol. 2001 Jul;28(7):1591-9
11469467
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003 Oct;58(10):M911-6
14570858
Diabetes Care. 2005 Oct;28(10):2541-2
16186295
Acta Physiol Scand. 1982 Dec;116(4):437-42
6221506
Acta Neurol Scand. 1979 Jun;59(6):317-23
484204
J Rheumatol. 1994 Mar;21(3):413-24
8006885
N Engl J Med. 1980 Jan 31;302(5):261-71
6985707
Am J Epidemiol. 1998 Apr 15;147(8):755-63
9554417
Muscle Nerve. 1983 Nov-Dec;6(9):676-83
6197649
J Nutr Health Aging. 2008 Aug-Sep;12(7):427-32
18615224
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1995 Nov;50 Spec No:30-4
7493214
J Physiol. 2004 Jan 15;554(Pt 2):559-69
14578492
Int J Epidemiol. 2005 Dec;34(6):1234-42
15964908
Eur Respir J. 2005 Mar;25(3):431-40
15738285
J Bone Miner Res. 1997 Dec;12(12):2076-81
9421240
Lancet. 1971 Sep 11;2(7724):593-5
4106118
J Anat. 1991 Feb;174:239-49
2032938
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2000 Mar;55(3):M168-73
10795731
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jun;54 Suppl 3:S40-7
11041074
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2000 Jun;48(6):625-30
10855597
Int J Epidemiol. 2007 Feb;36(1):228-35
17056604
J Appl Physiol (1985). 2000 Apr;88(4):1321-6
10749826