Prevalence of Sarcopenia-Promoting Medicines in Patients With Sarcopenia and Falls

NCT07127692 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 354863
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 323
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Sarcopenia, characterised by the loss of muscle mass and function, is a common condition among the elderly and is often associated with increased risk of falls. Certain medications, such as glucocorticoids, statins, and some antipsychotics, may exacerbate sarcopenia, leading to a higher incidence of falls. This study aims to explore the prevalence of such medicines in patients diagnosed with sarcopenia who have experienced falls. Understanding the impact of these medications on sarcopenia and fall risk can inform clinical guidelines and improve patient outcomes.

Conditions

Sarcopenia in Elderly; Falls

Keywords

Sarcopenia-promoting medicines; Sarcopenia; Falls; Medicines in elderly

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Prevalence of exposure to one or more sarcopenia-promoting medication

  Proportion of adults aged 65 years and over attending the falls clinic who are prescribed one or more sarcopenia-promoting medication. Unit of measure: % of participants.

  6 months

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Distribution of sarcopenia-promoting medication classes

  6 months

• Number of sarcopenia-promoting medications per participant

  6 months

• Handgrip strength

  6 months

• Gait speed

  6 months

• SARC-F score

  6 months

Interventions

Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls (SARC-F) questionnaire DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Self-administered screening tool for sarcopenia

Hand grip strength DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Used to assess sarcopenia

Timed Up and Go test DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Screening test for falls in elderly

Gait speed DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Assessment to check for functional mobility and risk of falls.

Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Used to assess level of frailty.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will be conducted in a multidisciplinary falls clinic at Medway NHS Foundation Trust, based in Gillingham, Kent, England, UK. This secondary care setting receives referrals primarily from inpatient hospital teams and primary care practitioners. The clinic routinely assesses older adults who have experienced falls or are at high risk of falling, and conducts comprehensive geriatric assessments, including medication reviews, functional status evaluations, and frailty assessments.

You may qualify if:

• Aged ≥65 years
• Attendance at the falls clinic for a new assessment
• Diagnosed with sarcopenia (based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) criteria)
• History of falls in the past 12 months

You may not qualify if:

• Cognitive impairment preventing consent
• Acute medical instability
• Enrolled in on other clinical trials.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medway NHS Foundation Trust: lead

Study Sites (1)

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5NY, United Kingdom

Location

Related Publications (12)

• Zia A, Kamaruzzaman SB, Tan MP. Polypharmacy and falls in older people: Balancing evidence-based medicine against falls risk. Postgrad Med. 2015 Apr;127(3):330-7. doi: 10.1080/00325481.2014.996112. Epub 2014 Dec 24.

  PMID: 25539567 RESULT

• Veronese, N., et al. (2020). Polypharmacy is associated with higher frailty risk in older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 21(2), 181-187.

  RESULT

• Tanskanen, A., et al. (2015). Anticholinergic burden and physical functioning in older people: A systematic review. Drugs & Aging, 32(10), 741-750.

  RESULT

• Shafiee G, Keshtkar A, Soltani A, Ahadi Z, Larijani B, Heshmat R. Prevalence of sarcopenia in the world: a systematic review and meta- analysis of general population studies. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2017 May 16;16:21. doi: 10.1186/s40200-017-0302-x. eCollection 2017.

  PMID: 28523252 RESULT

• Scott, D., et al. (2016). Sarcopenia and statin use: A potential link? Drugs & Aging, 33(1), 1-9.

  RESULT

• Reeve E, Wiese MD, Hendrix I, et al. (2014). The impact of deprescribing interventions on polypharmacy and clinical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 15(3):131-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2013.11.008

  RESULT

• Rawle MJ, Westbury LD, Russell S, et al (2018). Anticholinergic drug burden and cognitive function in people aged 50 years and older: the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Age Ageing; 47(4):505-11 https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy026

  RESULT

• Perlman C, Kirkham J, Velkers C, Leung RH, Whitehead M, Seitz D. Access to Psychiatrist Services for Older Adults in Long-Term Care: A Population-Based Study. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2019 May;20(5):610-616.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2019.01.121. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

  PMID: 30827894 RESULT

• Landi F, Liperoti R, Russo A, Giovannini S, Tosato M, Capoluongo E, Bernabei R, Onder G. Sarcopenia as a risk factor for falls in elderly individuals: results from the ilSIRENTE study. Clin Nutr. 2012 Oct;31(5):652-8. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2012.02.007. Epub 2012 Mar 11.

  PMID: 22414775 RESULT

• Fox C, Richardson K, Maidment ID, Savva GM, Matthews FE, Smithard D, Coulton S, Katona C, Boustani MA, Brayne C. Anticholinergic medication use and cognitive impairment in the older population: the medical research council cognitive function and ageing study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011 Aug;59(8):1477-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03491.x. Epub 2011 Jun 24.

  PMID: 21707557 RESULT

• Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyere O, Cederholm T, Cooper C, Landi F, Rolland Y, Sayer AA, Schneider SM, Sieber CC, Topinkova E, Vandewoude M, Visser M, Zamboni M; Writing Group for the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2), and the Extended Group for EWGSOP2. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019 Jul 1;48(4):601. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afz046. No abstract available.

  PMID: 31081853 RESULT

• Corsonello A, Pedone C, Incalzi RA. Age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes and related risk of adverse drug reactions. Curr Med Chem. 2010;17(6):571-84. doi: 10.2174/092986710790416326.

  PMID: 20015034 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sarcopenia

Interventions

Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous; Walking; Hand Strength; Walking Speed

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Insemination, Artificial; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Reproductive Techniques; Therapeutics; Investigative Techniques; Insemination; Reproduction; Reproductive Physiological Phenomena; Reproductive and Urinary Physiological Phenomena; Locomotion; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Exercise; Motor Activity; Muscle Strength; Physical Examination; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Gait

Study Officials

• Kamaldeep K Sahota, Pharmacist

  Medway NHS Foundation Trust

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Kamaldeep K Sahota, Pharmacist

CONTACT

441634976610; kamaldeep.sahota1@nhs.net

Vikram Paranjyothi, Consultant Geriatrician

CONTACT

441634830000; vikram.paranjyothi@nhs.net

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lead Clinical Pharmacist Frailty

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 10, 2025
• First Posted: August 17, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GB (1)