Background/Purpose:

Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength with a risk of adverse outcomes such as physical disability and poor quality of life. Sarcopenia is a common feature of all chronic inflammatory diseases and is related to elevated circulating proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor. Low lean mass and sarcopenia are common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the studies about sarcopenia in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were lack. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Methods:

Cross-sectional data were collected on 60 male patients with AS who fulfilled the modified New York criteria. For measurement of body composition, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine, total femur and whole body was performed. Sarcopenia was defined by low skeletal muscle mass (SMI<7.0 kg/m²) and a low muscle strength (handgrip strength<26 kg) according to Asian working group for sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria. We also define the sarcopenia according to Korean criteria based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2009. Clinical data (age, BMI, disease duration, BASDAI, BASMI, use of anti-TNFα agent and use of glucocorticoid) and laboratory data (ESR, CRP, Hemoglobin and level of vitamin D) were compared for AS patients without sarcopenia versus those with sarcopenia

Results:

The prevalence of sarcopenia by AWGS and Korea criteria based on KNHANES was 15% and 26.7% for patients with AS. The mean age of patients with sarcopenia according to the Korea criteria was 48.8±15.6 years and the sarcopenia occurred at a relatively young age in AS. Mean age was higher in the sarcopenia groups both by AWGS criteria and Korea criteria (p=0.02 and 0.004) and the level of ESR was higher in the sarcopenia group by Korea criteria (16.8±13.6 vs. 14.8±6.0, p=0.03). The patients with sarcopenia tended to show lower BMI, lower disease duration, more cumulative dose of glucocorticoid than the patients without sarcopenia, but there was no statistical significance. The older age (p=0.007), longer disease duration (p=0.008) and lower BMI (p<0.001) were significantly associated with lower skeletal muscle mass in AS.

Conclusion:

Sarcopenia occurred at a relatively young age in patients with AS. Mean age and level of ESR were higher in patients with sarcopenia. The older age, longer disease duration and lower BMI were significantly associated with lower skeletal muscle mass in AS.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/prevalence-of-and-factors-associated-with-sarcopenia-in-patients-of-ankylosing-spondylitis/