Associations Between Self-Reported Weight History and Sarcopenic Obesity in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between self-reported weight history and sarcopenic obesity in adults with advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Self-reported weight history was collected from n = 151 adults (58.9% female) with knee OA and BMI ≥30 kg/m² in a cross-sectional study. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Sarcopenic obesity was defined as appendicular skeletal muscle mass, adjusted by BMI, <0.51 kg/m² in females and <0.79 kg/m² in males; prevalence was 27.2%. Weight gain in the preceding year, weight gain ≥5% of body weight in the past decade, and multiple weight cycling events in life-span (loss of ≥10 lb [4.5 kg] with regain ≥3 times) were examined using logistic regression (adjusted by age, sex, and %fat mass), with the dependent variable of sarcopenic obesity presence.

Weight gain in the preceding year was associated with sarcopenic obesity (odds ratio [OR]: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.02-5.87). No associations were found with weight gain in the past decade (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.43-2.5) or weight cycling (OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.37-2.01).

In adults with obesity and advanced knee OA, self-reported weight gain in the preceding year was associated with sarcopenic obesity. This patient population may benefit from recommendations that prioritize prevention of weight gain.