Risk factors related to sarcopenia in people living with HIV/AIDS according to 2010 and 2019 European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People

<b>ABSTRACT</b>The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) updated its criteria, prioritizing muscle strength as the most reliable measure of muscle function. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) age prematurely, making it important to understand factors associated with unfavorable outcomes and to promote good health and well-being. This study analyzes factors and the prevalence of sarcopenia in PLWHA using the 2010 (EWGSOP1) and 2018 (EWGSOP2) criteria. Were included PLWHA aged 40 or older, treated at an outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital between 2019 and 2021. Socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were evaluated. Numerical variables were analyzed using central tendency and dispersion measures, while associations between categorical variables were evaluated using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. The sample consisted of 218 PLWHA with a mean age of 52 ± 8.3 years. According to EWGSOP1, 11.1% were diagnosed with sarcopenia, with increasing age, male gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI) as associated factors. Using EWGSOP2, only 1.4% were classified as sarcopenic, with no associations found between sarcopenia and the studied variables. The prevalence of sarcopenia in PLWHA was eight times higher using EWGSOP1 than EWGSOP2. From a disease prevention perspective, EWGSOP1 criteria seem more appropriate for PLWHA.