Late-onset neuromuscular disorders in the differential diagnosis of sarcopenia

BMC Neurology

Table 1 Disease characteristics

Disease	Sarcopenia	ALS	IBM	DM2
Prevalence^a	≈ 8500^b	≈ 5	≈ 5^c	≈ 10
Age at onset [years]	≈ 65	≈ 50–70	≈ 65	≈ 50-70^d
Disease-Onset	symmetrical, generalized, slow progressive	asymmetrical, distal, fast progressive generalized including ventilatory insufficiency	asymmetrical, start frequently weakness of finger flexors, later dysphagia	symmetrical, proximal, axial > distal, cataract, arrhythmia, heart failure
Disease pattern
Outcome	Reduced life expectancy by falls and fractures	Lethal within 3–10 years	Disabling within 10–20 years	Normal life expectancy

References: [1, 2, 4, 6, 11, 12, 15,16,17,18]
ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, DM2 myotonic dystrophy type 2, IBM inclusion body myositis
^aPrevalence per 100,000 population; ^bhigher prevalence in older people; ^cin population older than 50 years; d: muscle weakness onset;

ISSN: 1471-2377