Sarcopenia in older patients with osteoarthritis of large joints

Pathological changes of large joints (knee, hip) in osteoarthritis (OA) are accompanied by the development of muscle weakness, decreased proprioception and imbalance.Objective: assessment of skeletal muscles state in women over 65 years old with OA of large joints and determination of the main factors affecting the risk of sarcopenia.Subjects and methods. In 159 women with OA (mean age 74±6 years), muscle mass was assessed with the appendicular lean mass index (ALM) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Muscle strength was measured by hand dynamometer, muscle function was determined by the results of a brief set of physical activity tests (short physical performance battery – SPP). The quality of life was analyzed by the EQ-5D questionnaire, pain assessment was carried out using a visual analog scale (VAS).Results and discussion. Patients with sarcopenia were significantly more likely to have lower rates of ALM index (p