Conceptual consensus
EWGSOP2: sarcopenia definition and assessment
In this analysis, DXA lean mass is fat-free mass minus bone mineral content. It includes tissues other than muscle and, alone, does not describe strength or diagnose sarcopenia.
Under EWGSOP2, low strength indicates probable sarcopenia; low muscle quantity or quality confirms the diagnosis, and low physical performance together with the other criteria identifies severe sarcopenia.
- Evidence design
- Diagnostic consensus concept
Keep in view
- Diagnostic consensus; it does not estimate a treatment effect or individual risk.
- A decrease in total DXA lean mass alone does not diagnose sarcopenia.
See study details — EWGSOP2
Definitions and assessment framework
Diagnostic consensus concept
Expert consensus updating the European definition and diagnostic approach to sarcopenia; not an intervention trial.
- Diagnostic concepts
- Diagnostic state
- Probable sarcopenia
- Definition
- Low muscle strength identifies probable sarcopenia.
- Diagnostic state
- Confirmed sarcopenia
- Definition
- Low muscle quantity or quality confirms the diagnosis in the presence of low strength.
- Diagnostic state
- Severe sarcopenia
- Definition
- Low strength, low muscle quantity/quality and low physical performance together identify severe sarcopenia.
- Assessment sequence
- Find cases
- Assess muscle strength
- Confirm muscle quantity or quality
- Determine severity with physical performance
What the curated evidence supports
- In this analysis, DXA lean mass is fat-free mass minus bone mineral content. It includes tissues other than muscle and, alone, does not describe strength or diagnose sarcopenia.
- Under EWGSOP2, low strength indicates probable sarcopenia; low muscle quantity or quality confirms the diagnosis, and low physical performance together with the other criteria identifies severe sarcopenia.
Limitations
- Diagnostic consensus; it does not estimate a treatment effect or individual risk.
- A decrease in total DXA lean mass alone does not diagnose sarcopenia.
Verification scope
Verified through 2026-11-04 within the consulted scope.
- Bibliographic metadata checked
- Yes
- Original article abstract consulted
- Yes
- Full-text consultation
- Consulted
- Official trial registry consulted
- No
- Statistical analysis plan consulted
- No
- Verification boundary
- Verification is limited to the specific fields and sources consulted; it is not a full systematic appraisal or GRADE rating.
Source record
Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis (2019). Age and ageing.