The presence of sarcopenia in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis: A comparative study

The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia in individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and to examine the effects of RA on functional disabilities, fear of movement avoidance, psychosocial conditions and quality of life in comparison with healthy individuals. The study included 25 individuals with RA with a mean age of 54.88±7.55 years and 25 healthy individuals with a mean age of 53.92±7.66 years. After demographic data were recorded, the prevalence of sarcopenia was evaluated by measuring lean muscle mass with a Bio-Impedance (BIA) device, functional performance with a 4-meter walking speed test, grip strength with a hand dynamometer, and knee extension (quadriceps muscle strength) strength with a manual muscle measuring device. Functional status of all individuals was examined with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), fear-avoidance behaviors were examined with the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS), biopsychosocial status was examined with the Cognitive Exercise Therapy Approach- Biopsychosocial Questionnaire (BETY-BQ), and quality of life was examined with the Short-Form 36 (SF-36). In our study, the frequency of sarcopenia was found to be 28% in individuals with RA. When RA and healthy individuals were compared in terms of body composition, physical performance and muscle strength, the results in terms of skeletal muscle mass (p=0.004), skeletal muscle mass index (p=0.011), walking speed (p=0.000), right hand (p=0.000) and left hand grip strength (p=0.000), right knee (p=0.001) and left knee extension strength (p=0.000) were significant in favor of the healthy group. When RA and healthy individuals were compared in terms of fear avoidance behavior, quality of life, psychosocial impact and functionality, the difference in favor of the healthy group was significant (p<0.05). In our study, it was concluded that the frequency of sarcopenia was high in individuals with RA, functional levels, psychosocial status and quality of life of individuals with RA were worse than healthy individuals and they had more fear avoidance behaviors.