JFSF Vol 4, No 3, September 2019, p.71-77
doi: 10.22540/JFSF-04-071
PDF  
Original Article
Current practice in the diagnosis and management of sarcopenia and frailty – results from a UK-wide survey
Natalie J. Offord1, Andrew Clegg2, Gill Turner3, Richard M. Dodds4,5,6, Avan A. Sayer4,5,6, Miles D. Witham4,5,6
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
- Academic Unit of Elderly Care & Rehabilitation (University of Leeds), Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
- Lymington Hospital, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
- AGE Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, United Kingdom
- NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University, UK
- Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, UK
Keywords: Sarcopenia, Frailty, Survey, Questionnaire, Older people
Abstract
Objectives: Despite a rising clinical and research profile, there is limited information about how frailty and sarcopenia are diagnosed and managed in clinical practice. Our objective was to build a picture of current practice by conducting a survey of UK healthcare professionals.
Methods: We surveyed healthcare professionals in NHS organisations, using a series of four questionnaires. These focussed on the diagnosis and management of sarcopenia, and the diagnosis and management of frailty in acute medical units, community settings and surgical units.
Results: Response rates ranged from 49/177 (28%) organisations for the sarcopenia questionnaire to 104/177 (59%) for the surgical unit questionnaire. Less than half of responding organisations identified sarcopenia; few made the diagnosis using a recognised algorithm or offered resistance training. The commonest tools used to identify frailty were the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale or presence of a frailty syndrome. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment was offered by the majority of organisations, but this included exercise therapy in less than half of cases, and medication review in only one-third to two-thirds of cases.
Conclusions: Opportunities exist to improve consistency of diagnosis and delivery of evidence-based interventions for both sarcopenia and frailty.