Objective: In this study, we evaluated limb circumference as sarcopenia screening tool in PD and comprehensively investigated the impacts of sarcopenia in PD.

Background: Sarcopenia is defined as a syndrome by progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, which is associated with disability, poor quality of life and mortality in elderly. People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) showed higher prevalence of sarcopenia and it has known to be associated with poor disease outcome.

Method: Limb circumference was measured at mid-upper arm (cut-off ≤28.6cm for men, ≤27.5cm for women) and calf (cut-off ≤34.1cm for men, ≤33.0cm for women). Sarcopenia was defined based on both mid-upper arm and calf circumference criteria and verified using appendicular skeletal muscle index using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan (cut-off ≤6.43 for men, ≤5.34 for women).

Results: Total 229 patients were consecutively recruited from out-patient clinic (M:F 119:100, age 65.7±8.7 years, Hoehn and Yahr stage 2.1±0.4). The limb circumference criteria was acceptable for screening sarcopenia (sensitivity 76.9% and specificity 76.7%). Sarcopenia was prevalent in our PD group (43.7%) and more frequently found in women and diabetics. PD with sarcopenia were older and older age at onset, and showed higher UPDRS and NMSS. Sarcopenia group also associated with cognitive dysfunction, depression and fall. PD with sarcopenia complained poor quality of life and their caregivers complained higher caregiver burden.

Conclusion: Limb circumference measurement was reliable screening tool for sarcopenia in PD. Sarcopenia was prevalent in PD, and associated with severe motor and non-motor symptoms, fall, poor quality of life and caregiver burden.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/sarcopenia-screening-with-limb-circumference-and-impacts-of-sarcopenia-in-parkinsons-disease/