Abstract
Sarcopenia, the progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass and strength/function, is a major health issue in older adults, given its high prevalence and burdensome clinical ramifications. The absence of a unified operational definition for sarcopenia has hampered its full appreciation by healthcare providers, researchers and policy-makers. At the same time, this unresolved debate and the complexity of musculoskeletal aging pose major challenges to the identification of clinically meaningful biomarkers. This review summarizes the current knowledge on biological markers for sarcopenia, including a critical appraisal of traditional procedures for biomarker development in the field of muscle aging. As an alternative approach, we illustrate the potential advantages of biomarker discovery procedures based on multivariate methodologies. Relevant examples of multidimensional biomarker modeling are provided with an emphasis on its clinical and research application.
Keywords: Frailty, physical performance, markers, multivariate analysis, skeletal muscle, disability.
Graphical Abstract
Current Protein & Peptide Science
Title:Biomarkers for Sarcopenia: Reductionism vs. Complexity
Volume: 19 Issue: 7
Author(s): Riccardo Calvani, Anna Picca*, Matteo Cesari, Matteo Tosato, Federico Marini, Ester Manes-Gravina, Roberto Bernabei, Francesco Landi and Emanuele Marzetti
Affiliation:
- Department of Geriatrics, Neurosciences and Orthopedics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome,Italy
Keywords: Frailty, physical performance, markers, multivariate analysis, skeletal muscle, disability.
Abstract: Sarcopenia, the progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass and strength/function, is a major health issue in older adults, given its high prevalence and burdensome clinical ramifications. The absence of a unified operational definition for sarcopenia has hampered its full appreciation by healthcare providers, researchers and policy-makers. At the same time, this unresolved debate and the complexity of musculoskeletal aging pose major challenges to the identification of clinically meaningful biomarkers. This review summarizes the current knowledge on biological markers for sarcopenia, including a critical appraisal of traditional procedures for biomarker development in the field of muscle aging. As an alternative approach, we illustrate the potential advantages of biomarker discovery procedures based on multivariate methodologies. Relevant examples of multidimensional biomarker modeling are provided with an emphasis on its clinical and research application.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Calvani Riccardo, Picca Anna *, Cesari Matteo, Tosato Matteo, Marini Federico , Manes-Gravina Ester , Bernabei Roberto , Landi Francesco and Marzetti Emanuele, Biomarkers for Sarcopenia: Reductionism vs. Complexity, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2018; 19 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203718666170516115422
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203718666170516115422 |
Print ISSN 1389-2037 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5550 |

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers