Aging in Motion Joins GLIS (Global Leadership Initiative in Sarcopenia)

Aging in Motion has joined the GLIS (Global Leadership Initiative in Sarcopenia). This international initiative aims to produce an inclusive definition of sarcopenia that can be widely accepted and launched by all the current consensus groups that have proposed definitions that are currently used: Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR), Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC).

This initiative is currently supported by the following societies and organizations:

• Aging in Motion (AIM) coalition / Alliance for Aging Research (AAR)
• American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
• American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)
• Asian Association for Frailty and Sarcopenia (AAFS)
• Australian and New Zealand Society for Sarcopenia and Frailty Research (ANZSSFR)
• European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO)
• European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS)
• European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO)
• European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN)
• Gerontological Society of America (GSA)
• International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG)
• International Conference on Frailty and Sarcopenia Research (ICFSR)
• International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)
• Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders (SCWD)

As GLIS intends to be widely inclusive, all members of participating working groups will be offered the opportunity to be part of the initiative. Also, all participating organizations will nominate members to be part of GLIS. There is no strict limit on the number of members, but expertise and publications in the field are required. All participants will have to declare their potential conflicts of interest to be admitted in the initiative.

What is GLIS doing?

The first step will be to agree on a definition on the general concept of sarcopenia. This step intends to define what are the core elements in sarcopenia. Elements that are considered relevant will be included, even if available measurement instruments are not yet accurate enough to capture those elements or parameters.

This concept paper will use a modified Delphi process involving the GLIS group (different countries and continents, specialties, clinical/research/regulatory settings…)

• Clear, simple statements will be produced by the steering committee to allow experts to show the level of agreement with such statements
• A formal pre-defined framework to define levels of agreement with statements will be prepared
• Statements intend to define (ideal) concepts that are part of the definition of sarcopenia, not particular or operational aspects
• Participants will be able to propose new statements and add opinions
• Results of consensus after a number of rounds will be written as a conceptual definition of sarcopenia

One or more articles operationalizing the elements that are part of the definition will follow shortly, including measurements, cut-offs, algorithms and outcome measures. Members of GLIS with particular expertise will be asked to join specific working groups on different topics.

To learn more contact

editoregm(at)gmail.com or alfonsojose.cruz(at)salud.madrid.org