This report was written by the Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition, the Japanese Association on Sarcopenia and Frailty, and the Society of Swallowing and Dysphagia of Japan to consolidate the currently available evidence on the topics of sarcopenia and dysphagia. Histologically, the swallowing muscles are of different embryological origin from somatic muscles, and receive constant input stimulation from the respiratory center. Although the swallowing muscles are striated, their characteristics are different from those of skeletal muscles. The swallowing muscles are inevitably affected by malnutrition and disuse; accumulating evidence is available regarding the influence of malnutrition on the swallowing muscles. Sarcopenic dysphagia is defined as dysphagia caused by sarcopenia of the whole body and swallowing‐related muscles. When sarcopenia does not exist in the entire body, the term “sarcopenic dysphagia” should not be used. Additionally, sarcopenia due to neuromuscular diseases should be excluded; however, aging and secondary sarcopenia after inactivity, malnutrition and disease (wasting disorder and cachexia) are included in sarcopenic dysphagia. The treatment of dysphagia due to sarcopenia requires both dysphagia rehabilitation, such as resistance training of the swallowing muscles and nutritional intervention. However, the fundamental issue of how dysphagia caused by sarcopenia of the swallowing muscles should be diagnosed remains unresolved. Furthermore, whether dysphagia can be caused by primary sarcopenia should be clarified. Additionally, more discussion is required on issues such as the relationship between dysphagia and secondary sarcopenia, as well as the diagnostic criteria and means for diagnosing dysphagia caused by sarcopenia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 91–97.

The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) released new criteria for diagnosing and grading malnutrition. This study aimed to investigate the optimal reference values of body mass index (BMI) for discriminating severe malnutrition according to the GLIM criteria, as well as the prevalence of GLIM-defined malnutrition in the clinical setting. This study included 6783 patients aged ≥40 years, who were admitted to an academic hospital. Of the 1987 patients who presented with low BMI in period 1, optimal BMI cut-off values were determined using receiver operating characteristic analyses against in-hospital mortality in younger (aged <70 years) and older age groups. Next, 4796 patients from period 2 were screened using a validated nutritional screening tool. Patients had their nutritional condition assessed after screenings were analyzed using the GLIM criteria, which included body weight changes, BMI, reduced muscle mass, nutritional intake, and disease burden. Additionally, patients diagnosed with malnutrition were classified as having moderate or severe malnutrition, according to the obtained BMI values from the period 1 data. The optimal cut-off BMI values were 17.0 kg/m2 for younger patients and 17.8 kg/m2 for older patients. Patients at risk of malnutrition included 14.5% and 42.0% of admitted younger and older patients in period 2, respectively. GLIM-defined malnutrition was diagnosed in 18.0% of all patients (10.6% and 25.7% in younger and older patients, respectively). After adapting the BMI cut-off values according to the period 1 results, 9.0% and 9.0% of all patients were diagnosed as having moderate and severe malnutrition, respectively. Patients with GLIM-defined malnutrition showed significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared to those without malnutrition. The Asian reference values of BMI to grade malnutrition severity according to the GLIM criteria, as well as the prevalence of GLIM-defined malnutrition were determined. These reference values will contribute to implementing the GLIM criteria in Asian populations.

Geriatric patients with hip fractures often experience overlap in problems related to nutrition, including undernutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty. Such problems are powerful predictors of adverse responses, although few healthcare professionals are aware of them and therefore do not implement effective interventions. This review aimed to summarize the impact of undernutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty on clinical outcomes in elderly individuals with hip fractures and identify successful strategies that integrate nutrition and rehabilitation. We searched PubMed (MEDLINE) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for relevant literature published over the last 10 years and found that advanced interventions targeting the aforementioned conditions helped to significantly improve postoperative outcomes among these patients. Going forward, protocols from advanced interventions for detecting, diagnosing, and treating nutrition problems in geriatric patients with hip fractures should become standard practice in healthcare settings.

Chronic diseases often lead to metabolic disorders, causing anabolic resistance and increased energy consumption, which result in cachexia. Cachexia, in turn, can lead to major clinical consequences such as impaired quality of life, shortened life expectancy, and increased healthcare expenditure. Existing international diagnostic criteria for cachexia employ thresholds derived from Western populations, which may not apply to Asians due to differing body compositions. To address this issue, the Asian Working Group for Cachexia (AWGC) was initiated. The AWGC comprises experts in cachexia research and clinical practice from various Asian countries and aims to develop a consensus on diagnostic criteria and significant clinical outcomes for cachexia in Asia. The AWGC, composed of experts in cachexia research and clinical practice from several Asian countries, undertook three‐round Delphi surveys and five meetings to reach a consensus. Discussions were held on etiological diseases, essential diagnostic items for cachexia, including subjective and objective symptoms and biomarkers, and significant clinical outcomes. The consensus highlighted the importance of multiple diagnostic factors for cachexia, including chronic diseases, either or both weight loss or low body mass index, and at least one of the following: anorexia, decreased grip strength (<28 kg in men and 5 mg/L [0.5 mg/dL]). The AWGC proposed a significant weight change of 2% or more over a 3–6 month period and suggested a tentative cut‐off value of 21 kg/m² for low body mass index in diagnosing cachexia. Critical clinical outcomes were determined to be mortality, quality of life as assessed by tools such as EQ‐5D or the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy, and functional status as measured by the Clinical Frailty Scale or Barthel Index, with significant emphasis on patient‐reported outcomes. The AWGC consensus offers a comprehensive definition and user‐friendly diagnostic criteria for cachexia, tailored specifically for Asian populations. This consensus is set to stimulate future research and enhance the multidisciplinary approach to managing cachexia. With plans to develop further guidelines for the optimal treatment, prevention, and care of cachexia in Asians, the AWGC criteria are expected to drive research across chronic co‐morbidities and cancer in Asia, leading to future refinement of diagnostic criteria.