Sarcopenia in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Introduction: The presence of sarcopenia in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) increases the severity of knee degeneration, heightens knee pain levels, raises the risk of falls, reduces activity capacity, and decreases quality of life, thereby leading to higher rates of disability and dependency.

Objectives: Determining the prevalence of sarcopenia and factors associated with sarcopenia in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Participants and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 126 patients aged ≥60 (the average age was 73.70±8.11, female/male: 76.2/23.8%) with KOA at the Rheumatology Clinic of Thong Nhat Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, from November 2023 to May 2024. KOA was diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria established in 1991. Appendicular Skeletal Muscle (ASM) was assessed using the InBody 270 bioelectrical impedance analysis device, and sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the 2019 consensus of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS).

Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) was 54.0%. There was an association between sarcopenia and several factors in elderly KOA patients, including Kellgren–Lawrence (K/L) grade 3–4 on X-ray (p<0.001, OR=12.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.23–48.58), age ≥80 years (p=0.005, OR=9.11, 95% CI: 1.97–42.21), low physical activity levels (p=0.003, OR=5.48, 95% CI: 1.77–16.93), and malnutrition or malnourished (p<0.001, OR=6.61, 95% CI: 2.36–18.58), when included in multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions: Sarcopenia in elderly patients with KOA in this study had a relatively high prevalence. Screening is necessary for early detection of sarcopenia in elderly KOA patients, especially in patients with K/L grade 3–4 KOA on X-ray, those aged 80 years or older, individuals with low physical activity levels, and those at risk of malnutrition or malnourished.