PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL-INFLAMMATORY CORRELATES OF SARCOPENIA IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES ACCORDING TO THE EWGSOP2 CRITERIA

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive decline in skeletal muscle strength, muscle quantity or quality, and physical performance. Patients with chronic rheumatic diseases may be at increased risk of sarcopenia because of persistent systemic inflammation, reduced physical activity, functional impairment, and prolonged disease duration. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia among patients with rheumatic diseases according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) criteria and to investigate associations between sarcopenia-related functional parameters and systemic inflammation.