Musculoskeletal health in older adults: Impact of COVID19 pandemic
Research type
Research Study
Full title
LIFESTYLE, MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN OLDER ADULTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
IRAS ID
288051
Contact name
Faidra/ FL Laskou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University hospital Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study considers health and wellbeing in older adults during the COVID19 pandemic with a particular focus on musculoskeletal health. Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are defined as the age-related decline in bone architecture and skeletal muscle strength, function and mass, respectively. These disorders have a devastating impact on physical function and contribute to a high rate of hospitalisation and health care cost. Sarcopenia and/or osteoporosis have common functional endpoints: frailty, falls and fractures.
This study considers how the recent COVID-19 pandemic has impacted lifestyle factors which are important to muscle and bone health (diet, physical activity), and will also consider the impact of COVID19 infection on musculoskeletal health. Musculoskeletal pathologies in patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV (causative pathogen of severe acute respiratory syndrome) have been previously reported; both SARS-CoV and COVID-19 belong to the same family of Coronaviridae. Studies from patients who contracted moderate and severe SARS infections have indicated a substantial musculoskeletal burden of this disease, including skeletal muscle, neurological, bone, and joint disorders. Data on patients with COVID-19 infection following the acute care episode have been limited but there are compelling early signs of musculoskeletal dysfunction in patients recovering from COVID-19. Follow-up studies have not yet been conducted to describe and summarise the musculoskeletal sequelae of COVID-19.
Our study aims to collect important information to better understand the relationship of muscle and bone health with COVID19 infection in community-dwelling adults over the age of 75 years. This will be achieved with the use of questionnaires gathering information specifically on lifestyle factors, comorbidities, medication history as well as physical activity and capability, function, level of frailty, nutrition and quality of life, in addition to information relating to the impact of the COVID19 pandemic and infection on participants wellbeing, lifestyle and nutrition. Ultimately, we hope to make subsequent applications that will include a face to face component when further studies are possible, and an important secondary outcome of this study is to assess willingness to participate in such a clinic visit when it is safe to do so.REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0036
Date of REC Opinion
17 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion