Sarcopenia and Nutrition in Chronic Kidney Disease

Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by the concurrent presence of low muscle strength and low skeletal muscle mass. Although sarcopenia was originally defined as a geriatric syndrome characteristic, in chronic kidney disease (CKD), it affects both younger and older individuals due to the accelerated aging seen in the disease. Patients diagnosed with CKD are at risk of decreases in muscle mass and strength, and consequently, sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is highly prevalent among dialysis patients, and there is growing evidence suggesting that it is an important predictor of poor outcomes, such as cardiovascular events and mortality. However, the definition and methods for sarcopenia screening and diagnosis vary, which may create inconsistencies when measuring prevalence rates and associated risks in specific populations, such as those with CKD. There is no consensus about the best methods, cutoffs, and timing for sarcopenia assessment. Moreover, obesity may coexist with sarcopenia, increasing inflammation and leading to muscle fat infiltration and sarcopenic obesity.

This Research Topic will contribute to elucidating the mechanisms contributing to the development of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, as well as identifying optimal therapeutic strategies and dietary interventions for their prevention, reversal, and/or management. We are particularly interested in articles that explore the relationships between sarcopenia, nutrition, supplementation, physical activity, and the potential impacts of metabolic, lifestyle, and nutritional disturbances and disorders, as well as therapeutic interventions. Advances in screening, assessment, and diagnosis of sarcopenia and its traits, sarcopenic obesity, and myosteatosis are also encouraged.

We welcome submissions that provide insight into, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Advances in screening, assessment, and diagnosis of sarcopenia in all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney replacement therapy
• Prevalence and risk factors for sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity
• Methods to assess muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in CKD
• Assessment and diagnosis of myosteatosis and sarcopenic obesity
• Overlap of sarcopenia with malnutrition, protein-energy wasting, frailty, and other physical/nutritional syndromes
• Identification of biomarkers related to sarcopenia in CKD
• Impact of nutrition, nutritional supplements, or exercise on preventing or treating sarcopenia in all stages of CKD
• Association of sarcopenia with clinical outcomes in all stages of CKD

Article types of interest include original research reports, clinical trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses.

Keywords: Body composition, Body fat, Dietary intake, Exercise training, Kidney replacement therapy, Muscle strength, Muscle wasting, Myosteatosis, Physical activity, Physical performance, Sarcopenia, Sarcopenic obesity

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.