Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Its Associated Factors in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Upper Egypt

Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Its Associated Factors in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Upper Egypt

Osteoarthritis (OA) and sarcopenia are two highly prevalent, interconnected geriatric syndromes that often coexist, leading to a condition termed "osteosarcopenia". Globally, the pooled prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with knee OA is estimated at approximately 25.07%, significantly higher than in the general population.

Chronic inflammation, joint pain, and reduced physical activity in OA patients create a vicious cycle that accelerates muscle mass loss and functional decline. While international data is robust, Egyptian epidemiological data remains limited. Recent studies in Egypt have identified a high risk of sarcopenia among older adults with fragility fractures and a prevalence of 17.7% in nursing home residents. However, targeted data on the OA population in Egypt is still lacking. Current management in Egyptian primary care centers primarily focuses on symptomatic relief of OA through analgesics and physical therapy. Sarcopenia often remains underdiagnosed because routine screening tools, such as the SARC-F questionnaire or Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), are not yet integrated into standard family medicine protocols. This oversight leads to increased frailty and poorer surgical outcomes for patients requiring joint replacement. In the family medicine practice, identifying sarcopenia early is vital for holistic care. Understanding the local prevalence and risk factors-such as Vitamin D deficiency, sedentary behavior, and low protein intake-is essential to tailor interventions. This research aims to provide the evidentiary basis for incorporating sarcopenia screening into primary care OA management, ultimately improving patient mobility and quality of life

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 40 years and older diagnosed with knee OA based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria.
• Patients who are willing to participate and provide informed written consent.Exclusion Criteria:
• Inflammatory arthritis: patients with rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to avoid confusion with inflammatory muscle wasting.
• Physical Limitations: amputees or those with severe physical deformities preventing gait speed tests or handgrip measurement.
• Patients with cardiac pacemakers or implanted electronic devices (as these interfere with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)).
• Severe Comorbidities: end-stage renal or hepatic disease, advanced malignancy or cachexia.
• Severe neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Stroke with paralysis) that directly affect muscle mass and mobility.
• Prolonged use of systemic corticosteroids (which cause secondary sarcopenia)