COVID-19 related to sarcopenia: Current perspectives on etiology, clinical implications, and nutritional rehabilitation

Abstract

Sarcopenia is a progressive skeletal muscle disorder characterized by reduced strength and quality. Pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical aspects, and nutritional points were related to sarcopenia in COVID-19 found in skeletal muscle during and after the disease course, which corroborated the development of adverse events. Declining physical activity, insufficient protein intake, and worsened proinflammatory response have been shown to have negative consequences on muscle protein synthesis, potentiating the risk of acute sarcopenia. Obesity sarcopenia has also been shown to worsen the prognosis of patients with SARS-CoV-2. Nutritional rehabilitation is used to prevent or minimize the development of acute sarcopenia. Dietary recommendations include increased energy supply and protein intake of 1.2 to 2.0 g/kg of body weight. Evidence suggests that aging with sedentary behaviors, pathophysiological changes, and inflammation alter body composition. In addition, nutritional deficiencies are predictors and aggravators of acute sarcopenia in COVID-19.

Keywords

• Sarcopenia
• Skeletal muscle mass
• Inflammation
• Nutrition
• SARS-CoV 2