title: Sarcopenia: burden and challenges for public health.
abstract: Sarcopenia, operationally defined as the loss of muscle mass and muscle function, is a major health condition associated with ageing, and contributes to many components of public health at both the patient and the societal levels. Currently, no consensual definition of sarcopenia exists and therefore it is still a challenge to establish the actual prevalence of sarcopenia or to establish the direct and indirect impacts of sarcopenia on public health. Anyway, this geriatric syndrome represents a huge potential public health issue because of its multiple clinical and societal consequences. Moreover, all these aspects have an impact on healthcare costs both for the patient and the society. Therefore, the implementation of effective and broadly applicable preventive and therapeutic interventions has become a medical and societal challenge for the growing number of older persons affected by sarcopenia and its disabling complications.
authors: Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 3 - CHU B23, Liège, 4000 Belgium ; Support Unit in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Beaudart
authors: Division of Bone Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil 4, Geneva 14, CH-1211 Switzerland.
authors: René
authors: R
authors: Rizzoli
authors: Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 3 - CHU B23, Liège, 4000 Belgium ; Support Unit in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium ; Department of Motricity Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Bruyère
authors: Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 3 - CHU B23, Liège, 4000 Belgium ; Bone, Cartilage and Muscle Metabolism Unit and Chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences, CHU of Liège, Quai Godefroid Kurth 45, Liège, 4000 Belgium.
authors: Jean-Yves
authors: JY
authors: Reginster
authors: Division of Bone Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil 4, Geneva 14, CH-1211 Switzerland.
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Biver
keywords: Consequences; Diagnosis; Epidemiology; Public health; Sarcopenia