Investigation of presence and frequency of sarcopenia in the geriatric population with psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, multisystemic, inflammatory disease. Sarcopenia, which is mainly characterized by age-related decrease in muscle mass and muscle functions, may also be associated with various inflammatory diseases. In previous studies, the prevalence of sarcopenia has been shown to be higher in individuals with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, autoimmune liver disease, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. However, there are no data on the frequency of sarcopenia in the geriatric population with psoriasis. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of sarcopenia in the geriatric population with psoriasis and to reveal the factors associated with the development of sarcopenia in this group. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 60 years and older with a diagnosis of psoriasis and the same number of geriatric control groups were included in the study. Besides demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants, blood C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and 25(OH)D vitamin levels, muscle ultrasonography and Tanita body analysis results were evaluated. Possible sarcopenia was determined by the handgrip test, and the diagnosis of confirmed sarcopenia was determined according to the results of bioelectrical impedance analysis. The frequency of sarcopenia in patients with psoriasis and the factors that may be associated with sarcopenia in this group were analyzed using statistical methods. Results: Psoriasis patients (18.4 ng/ml) had lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels than the control group (26.1 ng/ml) (p=0.002). The frequency of possible sarcopenia determined by the handgrip test in psoriasis patients was 12.7%, which was lower than the control group (28.6%) (p=0.028). Although the frequency of confirmed sarcopenia detected by bioelectrical impedance analysis was lower than the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (17.5% vs. 22.2%, p=0.503). In ultrasonographic examination, gastrocnemius thickness and pennate angle, rectus femoris thickness and cross-sectional area, and rectus abdominis thickness was higher in psoriasis patients compared to the control group (respectively p=0.002, p=0.012, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.034). In patients with psoriasis, age and age at diagnosis were associated with possible sarcopenia. Chronic pulmonary disease and low BMI were associated with confirmed sarcopenia. In multiple logistic regression analysis, low BMI was shown as an independent risk factor for confirmed sarcopenia (OR: 0.542, 95%CI: 0.367-0.802, p=0.002). In the ROC analysis, it was revealed that the Tanita body analysis lean body mass (Men: AUC: 0.878, p<0.001; Women: AUC: 0.918, p<0.001) and visceral fat ratio (Men: AUC: 0.826, p=0.002; Women: AUC: 0.782, p=0.001) parameters had significant diagnostic properties. Conclusion: In conclusion, the incidence of sarcopenia in geriatric psoriasis patients was not higher than the normal population, and even handgrip results and some ultrasonographic parameters were in better condition. Low body mass index was found to be an independent risk factor for confirmed sarcopenia in patients with psoriasis. In addition, it was revealed that Tanita body analysis may have a role in the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Keywords: Psoriasis, sarcopenia, ultrasonography, Tanita, bioelectrical impedance analysis.