Sarcopenia in chronic kidney disease: prevalence by different definitions and relationship with adiposity

This was a cross-sectional study with chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients under non-dialysis-dependent (NDD), hemodialysis (HD), and kidney transplant (KTx) treatment aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) guidelines, and to analyze the relationship between sarcopenia and its components and body adiposity. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry. Bioelectrical impedance provided data on the phase angle and body water. The prevalence of sarcopenia in the total sample (n = 243; 53% men, 48 ± 10 years) was 7% according to the FNIH and 5% according to the EWGSOP2 criteria, and was low in each CKD group independently of the criteria applied (maximum 11% prevalence). Low muscle mass was present in 39% (FNIH) and 36% (EWGSOP2) and dynapenia in 10% of the patients. Patients who were sarcopenic according to the EWGSOP2 criteria presented low body adiposity. Conversely, patients who were sarcopenic according to the FNIH criteria presented high adiposity. This study suggests that in CKD (i) sarcopenia and low muscle mass prevalence varies according to the diagnostic criteria; (ii) sarcopenia and low muscle mass are common conditions; (iii) the association with body adiposity depends on the criteria used to define low muscle mass; and (iv) the FNIH criteria detected higher adiposity in individuals with sarcopenia. Novelty: Prevalence of sarcopenia and low muscle mass in CKD varied according to the diagnostic criteria. Association of excess adiposity with sarcopenia and low muscle mass depends on muscle mass index applied. FNIH criteria detected higher adiposity in individuals with sarcopenia and low muscle mass.