Spinal Sarcopenia Cohort Study (SarcoSpine)

Sarcopenia on lumbar paraspinal muscles is receiving renewed attention as a cause of spinal degeneration. However, there are few studies on the precise concept and diagnostic criteria for spinal sarcopenia. Here, we develop the concept of spinal sarcopenia in community-dwelling healthy elderly people. In addition, we aim to observe the natural aging course of paraspinal muscle and back muscle strength, and investigate the association between conventional sarcopenic indices and spinal sarcopenia. This is a prospective observational cohort study with 120 healthy community-dwelling elderly people for 4 years. All subjects will be recruited according to no sarcopenia, possible sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia groups. The primary outcomes of this study are isokinetic back muscle strength and lumbar paraspinal muscle quantity and quality using lumbar spine MRI. Conventional sarcopenic indices and spine specific outcomes such as spinal sagittal balance, back performance scale, and Sorenson test will be also assessed. The data will be analysed using the intention-to-treat principle.