Sarcopenia and muscular weakness

Muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass are common and increase with age, rarely recognized or identified, it may however be well treated. This issue needs to be supported by specialists and specific skills, but especially in a context of a multidisciplinary council. This assessment not only allows to perform a physical review of the locomotor apparatus, to carry out the biological and appropriate radiological and neuromuscular tests but also provides an expert advice on all aspects specifically related to the symptomatology, including nutritional and behavioural aspects. Your specialists will help you identify the most likely origins of your complaints, and to discuss with you about the corrective solutions and suggest a rehabilitation program in the longer term.

Check-up

The main doctor is an internist specializing in muscular functions. He will discuss with the patient to determine his/her family medico-surgical history, personal medico-surgical history and to be aware of his/her socio-professional environment, his/her way of life and his/her dietetic habits. The clinical exam, the evaluation of the results of biological check-up will allow the specialist to determine the risk factors and the specific domain to investigate.

A nutritional check-up is systematically performed and will include a fine evaluation of the soci-professional environment, lifetime and dietetic habits.

The corporal balance analysis DXA without injection of contrast product, non-invasive, and with very low radio exposition allows a very precise body regional and total measure of the bone, fat and lean mass. This technology is widely used in the elite sportive realm to specify the impact of nutrition and training on the sportsman/woman. It also allows following precisely its evolution in time. A physical examination of muscle strength will be performed during the same consultation: with an advanced computer system (Myotest), it will include an analysis of the muscular capacity (power, strength and rest), and also a study of walk and balance.

A neuromuscular assessment by a neurologist and an MRI of the spine will complete this check-up.

Such a check-up is only appropriate if there is final consultation with the specialist to review the results of all performed exams. The internist will give hygiene of life advises and will discuss with the patient about the targeted regular check-ups to perform.

Stages of the check-up

To optimize the time at disposal of the patient, it’s suggested to perform a progressive medical investigation:

Appointment schedule – Program organisation.
Specialized consultation with internist specializing in muscular functions.
Fasting morning – Blood sample between 08:00 and 08:45 in the morning followed by the initial consultation with the internist specialist in nutrition and providing of biological check-up (basic and nutrition).
Corporal balance analysis DXA and specialized consultation in muscular functionality.
Consultation with internist specialist in nutrition. Review of results with therapeutic suggestions (modification of alimentary habits, way of life, complementary alimentary suggestion).
Specialized consultation with neurologist, neuro-muscular tests.
Final consultation and recommendations.

Laboratory analysis:

Basic biological check-up

Complete blood count
VS, CRP, Electrophoresis, Prot. Tot, Ferritin, Phosphate, Folic acid, Vit B12
Protein C-reactive, Interleukin 6, HbA1c, CRP us
Ionogram (Na, K, Ca tot, P)
Hepatic tests (Phosphatase Alkaline, Bilirubin Tot, gammaGT, ALAT, ASAT,LDH)
Thyroid tests (TSH, T3, T4)
Creatinine, Urea, Glycaemia, folic acid, Ferritin, , DHEA
Bone markers (Calcium corr, PA bone, XLaps, P1NP, PTH, Vit D)
HOMA test

Blood check micro nutrition

Evaluation of cardio vascular risks and inflammation (lipid profile, fatty acid profile, risk profile (including emerging markers and lipoprotein atheroginicity)
Evaluation of oxidant stress and evaluation of vitamins and antioxidants intake
Immunology and neurobiology nutrition check
Insulin resistance HOMA
Stress hormones (cortisol and saliva DHEA)

What is the respiratory test?

The respiratory test evaluates the functionality of the intestines (intestinal flora). The patient expires air from the lungs with a specific devise. The air expired contains gas produced in the colon with bacteria that live there.

This test is useful for patients suffering from digestive disorders, deficiencies, tiredness, alimentary intolerance, weight loss or gain, articular or muscular pain.