Definition of frailty and sarcopenia
- Frailty is a long-established clinical expression that implies concern about an elderly person’s vulnerability and outlook. By definition, frailty is a state of increased vulnerability to stressor events, which increases the risk of adverse outcomes, including falls, delirium, disability and death.There are several instruments that have been validated to identify frail older subjects, but a universally accepted diagnostic tool is still lacking.
- Sarcopenia has been defined as progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and power occurring in older subjects, and is regarded as a key component of frailty. Loss of muscle strength and power could be more important than changes in muscle mass.