COVID‐19: a major cause of cachexia and sarcopenia?

The coronavirus‐2 spikes protein, uses the angiotensin converter enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to bind to a cell resulting in fusion of the viral envelope to fuse with cell membrane and allows the viral genetic material to enter the cell. 2 ACE2 receptors are present ubiquitously throughout the body resulting in a variety of tissue damages. 4 Its clinical features are weight loss, low albumin, anorexia, increased muscle protein breakdown and inflammation. Mice infected with coronavirus‐2 had had significant weight loss which was reversed by a ribonucleoside analog. 12 Sarcopenia is defined as the decreased muscular function in the presence of muscle loss. 13 Primary sarcopenia is age related while secondary sarcopenia is when the sarcopenia is related to a chronic disease such as diabetes mellitus or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 14 In older persons, the need for social isolation during the COVID‐19 pandemic has led to a decrease in daily physical activity which accelerates the loss of muscle strength and function.