Abstract
Sarcopenia, characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, significantly impacts patient outcomes. Accurate assessment of muscle mass is essential for its diagnosis. Currently the agreement on how to use imaging for sarcopenia detection is still debated and how well the muscle imaging assessments correlate with muscle function needs further agreement. Recognizing the critical role of imaging in this process, the China National Center for Orthopedics (NCO) and the East Meets West Action Group of European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS) convened a working group endorsed by the Board of the ECTS. This paper aims to evaluate the utility of various imaging techniques for diagnosing sarcopenia and understanding its functional consequences. We synthesize evidence on DXA, BIA, CT, MRI and ultrasound, and provide specific related recommendations. Imaging cannot replace functional assessments, but may enhance them by revealing subclinical disease, clarifying pathophysiology, and enabling individualized care. We hope to assist clinicians and researchers in using imaging to improve sarcopenia diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring, while also advocating for evidence-based structural and functional criteria in future guidelines.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
12-1-2025
Volume
116
Issue
1
PubMed ID
41326843
Publication Title
Calcified Tissue International
Publisher
Springer
School
Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
88768
Funders
Beijing Municipal Public Welfare Development and Reform Pilot Project for Medical Research Institutes (JYY2023-8, JYY2023-11) / Beijing Physician Scientist Training Project (BJPSTP-2024–08) / Beijing Jishuitan Research Funding (JSTYC202207) / Beijing Municipal Health Commission (BJRITORDP-2024) / National Natural Science Foundation of China (82371957, 82371956) / CMU Talent Project (A2413)
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
Wang, L., Lu, S., Feng, J., Ma, K., Duan, F., Wang, R., Cheng, X., Liu, Y., Imai, Y., Chen, H., Glüer, C., Guglielmi, G., Vlug, A. G., Liu, J., Engelke, K., Li, M., Sim, M., Minisola, S., & Jiang, X. (2025). Muscle imaging assessments in sarcopenia: A statement from China National Center for Orthopedics (NCO) and the east meets west action group of the European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS). Calcified Tissue International, 116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-025-01447-w