Objective: The aim of the study was to explore an individualized sonographic muscle thickness ratio and its cutoff values in the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Design: A total of 326 community-dwelling adults were included in this cross-sectional study. Total skeletal muscle mass was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and nine-site muscle thickness measurements using ultrasound. Isometric handgrip and knee extension strengths were assessed. Physical performance was evaluated by usual Gait Speed, Chair Stand Test, and Timed Up and Go Test. Results: Because the anterior thigh muscle thickness was the most significantly decreasing measurement with aging and the most significantly related value with body mass and height; sonographic thigh adjustment ratio was calculated by dividing it with body mass index. Using the two standard deviation values of our healthy young adults, sonographic thigh adjustment ratio cutoff values were found as 1.4 and 1.0 for male and female subjects, respectively. Sonographic thigh adjustment ratio values were negatively correlated with Chair Stand Test and Timed Up and Go Test in both sexes (all P < 0.05) and positively correlated with gait speed in female subjects and knee extension strength in male subjects (both P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results imply that regional (rather than total) muscle mass measurements should be taken into consideration for the diagnosis of sarcopenia.

In this dynamic protocol, ultrasound examination of the shoulder using different maneuvers is described for several/relevant shoulder problems. Scanning videos are coupled with real-time patient examination videos for better understanding. The authors believe that this practical guide prepared by an international consensus of several experts (EURO-MUSCULUS: European Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Study Group and USPRM: Ultrasound Study Group of ISPRM [International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine]) will help musculoskeletal physicians perform a better and uniform/standard approach.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and renin-angiotensin system–related disorders and to explore the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers on muscle mass/function and physical performance. Design: This multicenter, cross-sectional study was performed using ISarcoPRM algorithm for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Results: Of the 2613 participants (mean age = 61.0 ± 9.5 yrs), 1775 (67.9%) were hypertensive. All sarcopenia-related parameters (except chair stand test in males) were worse in hypertensive group than in normotensive group (all P < 0.05). When clinical/potential confounders were adjusted, hypertension was found to be an independent predictor of sarcopenia in males (odds ratio = 2.403 [95% confidence interval = 1.514–3.813]) and females (odds ratio = 1.906 [95% confidence interval = 1.328–2.734], both P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that all sarcopenia-related parameters (except grip strength and chair stand test in males) were independently/negatively related to hypertension (all P < 0.05). In females, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors users had higher grip strength and chair stand test performance values but had lower anterior thigh muscle thickness and gait speed values, as compared with those using angiotensin II receptor blockers (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Hypertension was associated with increased risk of sarcopenia at least 2 times. Among antihypertensives, while angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors had higher muscle function values, angiotensin II receptor blockers had higher muscle mass and physical performance values only in females.