Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of sarcopenia in Parkinson’s disease (PD) community residents according a screening by using motor performance tests.

Background: Sarcopenia is known to affect elderly individuals by decreasing mobile function and increasing frailty and imbalance that can enhance the risk of falls in PD.

Methods: Individuals with PD in stages 1-4, according to the Hoehn and Yahr Scale, were assessed with the 10-Meter Walking Test, which provides gait velocity over a short distance, and with the handgrip strength test. For gait speed and handgrip strength, the cut-off values were 0.8 m/s and 20 kg for women and 30Kg for men, respectively.

Results: Forty-four participants with PD took part in the study (mean age 62,8±13 years; 26 males, 18 females; disease duration mean 6,69±5 years). The gait velocity obtained was of 1,18 ± 0,39 m/s and mean handgrip strength was of 28,73±9 Kg, being the mean of 22,84±5 kg for women and the mean of 31,96±9 kg for men. A moderate correlation was found between walking speed and grip strength. (r = 0.61, Spearman correlation coefficient).

Conclusions: There was no prevalence of sarcopenia in the studied group according to the screening criteria. However, associated with the aging process, motor and non-motor symptoms of the PD can cause problems to their functional performance and nutritional state, factors that may contribute to risk for sarcopenia.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/predicting-risk-of-sarcopenia-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease/