Epidemiology of sarcopenia in patients receiving programmed hemodialysis treatment

Background . Sarcopenia is a clinically significant complication of long-term therapy with chronic hemodialysis and is an independent prognostic factor of morbidity and mortality. This explains the need for its timely and accurate diagnosis. The aim of the study was to study the epidemiological aspects of sarcopenia in patients receiving treatment with programmed hemodialysis. Methods and material . 317 patients treated with programmed bicarbonate hemodialysis for 8.2 ± 5.1 years were examined, among them 171 women and 146 men, the average age was 57.1±11.3 years. The assessment of the presence of sarcopenia was performed using a technique recommended by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Results . The prevalence of presarcopenia was 0.7% (2 patients) and sarcopenia 29.6% (93 patients). The presence of skeletal muscle mass deficiency according to the muscle mass index (MMI) was 30.3% (95 patients), a decrease in muscle strength according to dynamometry was noted in 153 patients (48.7%), low skeletal muscle performance according to the results of the 6-minute walking test was determined in 134 patients (42.8%). Conclusion . The prevalence of sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients is 29.6%. The duration of hemodialysis therapy and the age of the patient are independent risk factors for the development of sarcopenia.