Which quality of life for the sarcopenic patient?

Sarcopenia is defined as a progressive and generalized loss of muscle strength, muscle mass and physical performance with advancing age. Among the multiple consequences of sarcopenia, the reduction in the quality of life associated with it can undeniably be considered as a major consequence. Quality of life is measured via generic or specific questionnaires. Current research, mainly using so-called "generic" questionnaires, identifies a reduced quality of life in patients with primary age-related sarcopenia, mainly in areas related to functional status and physical performance. A specific quality of life questionnaire could, in combination with a generic questionnaire, provide more precise data on the impact that sarcopenia has on the quality of life of patients. It was in 2015 that the first quality of life questionnaire specific to sarcopenia, the SarQoL®, was developed. Psychometric validation of the SarQoL® has been carried out in several international patient populations indicating excellent internal consistency, reliability and convergent validity and sensitivity to change as well as an absence of floor and ceiling effects. In combination with a generic questionnaire, this specific questionnaire is therefore suitable for measuring the quality of life of populations suffering from sarcopenia, both in research and in clinical practice, both in the context of observational or interventional evaluations.