title: Sarcopenia in cases of chronic and acute illness. A mini-review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Loss of muscle mass and muscle weakness are often found in cases of acute or chronic illness in elderly patients. Sarcopenia is a risk factor for complications and higher mortality. Based on an exact diagnosis and knowledge of the risk factors for developing sarcopenia, it is now possible to improve the prognosis by providing effective treatment options.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review was carried out based on a PubMed search in the period from 1998 to 2015 using original articles and reviews and posting the terms "sarcopenia", "elderly" and "acute illness".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the evidence from the current literature, in the case of acute illness it is feasible to identify patients at risk, diagnose sarcopenia and prescribe a multidimensional treatment program to prevent or treat sarcopenia even in the bustling environment of geriatric wards or institutions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acute Geriatrics, Salzkammergutklinikum Gmunden, Miller von Aichholzstraße 49, 4810, Gmunden, Austria. peter.dovjak@gespag.at.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dovjak
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Acute illness; Cachexia; Chronic illness; Elderly; Sarcopenia