Stroke-Related Sarcopenia among Two Different Developing Countries with Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds (Cross-National Study in Egypt and China)

The prevalence of stroke-related sarcopenia differs according to the diagnostic criteria, the cut-off point for assessment, and ethnicity. Egypt and China are developing countries with different races where no research concerning stroke-related sarcopenia has been performed yet. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of possible sarcopenia and confirmed sarcopenia among Egyptian and Chinese stroke survivors using the Asian Working Group of Sarcopenia (AWGS-2019) criteria and to assess the variables associated with the prevalence rate. A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out among 200 Egyptian and 195 Chinese stroke survivors from 2019 to 2021 using a structural health questionnaire. A hand-held dynamometer was used to measure grip strength. Anthropometric measures were used to estimate muscle mass. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistics version 20. p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The prevalence of possible sarcopenia ranged from 20.0% to 34.4% among Egyptian and Chinese groups, except for the Egyptian females where it was 52.0%. The prevalence of sarcopenia in both populations ranged from 13.6% to 18.6%. Pre-stroke independent variables that accelerated possible sarcopenia were age, history of dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease, but stroke severity was a post-stroke risk factor. Age was the only pre-stroke variable for sarcopenia, while quitting smoking and having good nutritional status were variables for the reduction of possible sarcopenia. Quitting smoking, having a good nutritional status, and early rehabilitation reduced sarcopenia development. Controlling vascular risk factors, enhancing rehabilitation, and nutritional therapy are protective measures against sarcopenia. Longitudinal studies are required to identify further risk factors.