Factors Associated with Sarcopenia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a recognized complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and increases risk of increased morbidity from cardiovascular events and mortality. This single-center cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in CKD patients. MATERIAL/METHODS: Patients with non-dialysis-dependent (NDD)-CKD were examined for sarcopenia by handgrip strength testing, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and 4-minute gait speed test. We divided 220 patients into 2 groups – No Probable Sarcopenia (NPS; n=120) and Probable Sarcopenia (PS; n=100) – according to muscle strength defined by handgrip strength, then into another 2 groups – No Sarcopenia (NS; n=189) and Confirmed Sarcopenia (CS; n=31) – according to muscle mass defined by BIA. RESULTS: Mean age and prevalence of coronary heart disease were significantly higher and mean body mass index (BMI) was lower in the PS and CS groups than that of NPS and NS groups (P<0.05). Male predominance was observed in the PS group (P=0.0124). Median urea, creatinine levels, urine protein/creatinine ratio, and percent of anemic patients in the PS group were significantly higher and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albumin, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were lower than in the NPS group (P<0.05). Uric acid, leukocyte, and platelet concentrations were significantly lower in the CS group compared to the NS group (P<0.05). Increasing age significantly amplified risk of PS by 1.12 and of CS by 1.15 (P<0.0001) but not eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NDD-CKD, sarcopenia is common and is associated with risk factors of age, male gender, BMI, comorbidities, proteinuria, and anemia. Age is an associated risk factor for both PS and CS.