Abstract
As the current population gets older, we are learning that some of the diseases and conditions which were formerly perceived as a natural part of the ageing process are actually preventable and curable. Sarcopenia is one of these; it is currently one of the most challenging problems of clinical gerontology.
Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome that presents as gradual muscle mass loss and decreases in physical performance. It is one of the important factors of frailty.
Its treatment is as any other treatment highly dependent on the correct diagnostics. Nevertheless, it seems that latest guidelines for sarcopenia diagnostics considerably neglect real conditions in a number of medical facilities for the elderly, despite the vast increase in the number of studies on its prevalence and the options of sarcopenia treatment carried out in recent years.
In this mini review, we shall discuss various diagnostic methods and the possibilities of their real use in clinical practice for the institutionalized elderly.