The interconnection between Covid-19, sarcopenia and lifestyle

In March 2020, Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Infection with Sars-Cov-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, can have a wide range of consequences, the severity of which depends on the individual [1]. Moreover, this vulnerability is increased by the presence of comorbidities such as chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, hypertension and other pathologies affecting immunity [2]. Also, musculoskeletal disorders, and particularly sarcopenia, have recently been suggested to be either a consequence of [3] or a risk factor for [4] Covid-19. For example, studies have reported muscle damage in patients hospitalized for Covid-19 and greater loss of muscle function in older women living independently during the pandemic [5], [6]. Some studies, but not all, have also highlighted that low skeletal muscle mass and reduced muscle strength are associated with higher severity of Covid-19 [7], [8], [9]. Very recently, histopathological changes in muscle, such as muscle atrophy, have also been identified in patients complaining of long-term Covid-19 symptoms, including fatigue and weakness [10]. In addition, results from a meta-analysis highlighted a twofold greater risk of getting severe complications and of mortality due to Covid-19 for sarcopenic people compared with non-sarcopenic ones [4].