Cross-sectional associations between physical performance and sarcopenia risk in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease

Decrease in physical performance and risk of sarcopenia occur in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and negatively impacts the disease course. Understanding the associations between physical performance, risk of sarcopenia and disease stage may provide guidance to prevent or treat their decline. The aim of our study is to detect the risk of developing sarcopenia in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and to examine its association with physical performance measures, disease staging and duration. Physical performance in 44 male idiopathic Parkinson’s disease patients was measured by the short physical performance battery test. Strength, Assistance in walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs – Falls test was used to assess the potential risk of sarcopenia and disease staging by Hoehn and Yahr scale was implied. The patient’s age ranged from 41to 76 years. Risk of sarcopenia was significantly associated with poor physical performance (χ²=12.507, P < 0.004) as well with disease severity (χ²=9.195, P < 0.016) and duration (U = 140.5, P < 0.041). In regression analysis, sarcopenia risk was strong independent predictor for poor performance even after parameters adjustment(P = 0.008). There is a significant association between risk of sarcopenia and physical performance level, disease severity and disease duration in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Sarcopenia risk is a strong key independent predictor for poor physical performance among IPD patients, emphasizing the importance of early functional assessment for risk identification and intervention planning. Early screening for sarcopenia risk should be implemented in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease as a protective measure to avoid falls, fractures and disability.