Prevalence and predictive factors for obesity, sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in patients with chronic stroke

Muscle mass loss occurs early following a stroke, and the rate of decline is more rapid than the normal ageing process. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of and predictive factors for obesity, sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) in patients with stroke. Patients with chronic stroke with a duration >6 months were recruited. Their clinical data were recorded, and dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate body composition. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyse predictive factors for obesity, sarcopenia and SO. A total of 84 participants (58 males and 26 females) with a median age of 58.3 years were enrolled. The median duration following stroke was 2.2 years. The prevalence of obesity, sarcopenia and SO was 26.2, 21.4 and 23.8%, respectively. Age, sex, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Oral Health Assessment Tool, Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), calf circumference, and Mini Nutritional Assessment‑Short Form (MNA‑SF) score were included as independent factors. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that only calf circumference was a predictive factor for obesity [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08‑1.77]. As regards sarcopenia, two factors were found to be significant: The MNA‑SF score (aOR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.53‑0.94) and calf circumference (aOR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49‑0.89). Significant predictive factors for SO were being male (aOR 7.96; 95% CI, 1.05‑60.49) and FAC (aOR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.04‑0.55). Sarcopenia and SO were observed in almost half of the participants with chronic stroke. On the whole, calf circumference was found to be a predictor for both obesity and sarcopenia. The nutritional status assessed using MNA‑SF was a predictor for sarcopenia. The male sex and FAC were found to be predictive factors for SO.