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Published on: July 5, 2017
Sarcopenia and Physical Function in Middle-Aged and Older Stroke Survivors
Alice S Ryan1, Frederick M Ivey2, Monica C Serra1
1Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; Baltimore Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care System Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Baltimore, MD; Maryland Exercise and Robotics Center of Excellence, Baltimore, MD.
Stroke survivors have a higher prevalence of sarcopenia compared to non-stroke individuals. This study highlights the increased risk of sarcopenia in stroke patients, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Background:
- Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, is a growing concern in older adults.
- Stroke survivors often experience physical impairments that may exacerbate muscle loss.
- Understanding sarcopenia prevalence in this population is crucial for effective rehabilitation and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in stroke survivors using multiple established methodologies.
- To compare sarcopenia rates in stroke survivors with age-, sex-, and BMI-matched non-stroke controls.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study was conducted at a Veterans Affairs medical center and a university hospital.
- Participants included 190 mild to moderately disabled stroke survivors (aged 40-84 years).
- Appendicular lean mass (ALM) was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, with sarcopenia defined by four different criteria (ALM/height², EWGSOP, IWGS, ALM/BMI).
Main Results:
- Sarcopenia prevalence in stroke survivors ranged from 14% to 18% across the different methods.
- A matched subset of 38 stroke survivors showed significantly higher sarcopenia prevalence (13.2%) compared to their non-stroke counterparts (5.3%, P<.0001).
- Appendicular lean mass (ALM)/height² correlated with 6-minute walking speed (r=.28) and peak oxygen consumption (r=.58) in stroke survivors.
Conclusions:
- Stroke survivors exhibit a higher prevalence of sarcopenia when adjusted for age, sex, and race compared to non-stroke individuals.
- These findings underscore the increased risk of sarcopenia post-stroke.
- Further research should explore the functional implications and therapeutic strategies for sarcopenia in stroke survivors.
