Prevalence of sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 criteria in hemodialysis patients

A cross-sectional study in two hemodialysis units in El Oro province.

Abstract

Introduction: Sarcopenia is a common condition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis; it is associated with increased mortality, hospitalizations, and impaired quality of life. Timely identification enables diagnosis and the implementation of early interventions. The objective was to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and its diagnostic components in hemodialysis patients.

Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. The study included 180 hemodialysis patients from two renal units in El Oro province. Assessments included the SARC-F questionnaire, handgrip strength (via hand dynamometry), physical performance (via the 5-repetition Sit-to-Stand test [STS-5]), and body composition (via multifrequency bioimpedance [BCM]). Sarcopenia diagnosis was established according to EWGSOP2 criteria.

Results: The sample consisted of 112 men (62.2%) and 68 women (37.8%), with a predominance of the 51–70 age group. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 10.56%, and the prevalence of severe sarcopenia was 6.1%. The SARC-F questionnaire indicated a high probability of sarcopenia in 63 patients (35%) and a low probability in 117 patients (65%). Regarding handgrip strength, the 10th percentile was the most frequent category (31.1%; n=56). The STS-5 test revealed moderate dysfunction in 37.2% (n=67) and severe dysfunction in 38.2% (n=59); a statistically significant association was found between severe dysfunction and the presence of sarcopenia (p = 0.001; p < 0.05).

Conclusions: A high risk of developing sarcopenia was observed in hemodialysis patients. Physical performance, as measured by the STS-5 test, was significantly associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia, highlighting its utility as a functional screening tool in this population.