Stage-Dependent Sarcopenia Status in Parkinson’s Disease

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine sarcopenia status in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), classified as early-stage (<2.5) and moderate-stage (≥2.5) by the Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale, and in healthy controls using the ICF-based ISarcoPRM algorithm. DESIGN: A total of 63 participants were included in this cross-sectional study: 42 patients with PD and 21 healthy controls. Muscle mass was assessed using ultrasonographic anterior thigh thickness (ATT) and the Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio (STAR), muscle strength by handgrip dynamometry, and physical performance by the five-times sit-to-stand test (5xSTS). Participants were classified as non-sarcopenic, dynapenic, or sarcopenic according to ISarcoPRM criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia differed significantly across groups (P=0.016), with higher rates observed in patients with moderate-stage PD. Adjusted analyses showed significant overall group differences in ATT, handgrip strength, STAR, and 5xSTS performance, with muscle-related impairments generally more pronounced in the moderate-stage PD group. No significant differences were found between early-stage PD and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Muscle-related impairments in PD appear to be stage-dependent and become more pronounced in moderate stages. Comprehensive assessment approaches integrating muscle morphology, strength, and physical performance may provide clinically relevant insights for individualized rehabilitation strategies.