Sarcopenia in older people with multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Sarcopenia in older people with multiple sclerosis

T2 - A cross-sectional study

AU - Gaemelke, Tobias

AU - Pedersen, Ida S.

AU - Dalgas, Ulrik

AU - Hvid, Lars G.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024

PY - 2025/1

Y1 - 2025/1

N2 - Background: Older people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) make up over one-third of the MS population. Ageing increases the risk of sarcopenia, characterised by reduced muscle mass, strength, and function. MS symptoms likely exacerbate sarcopenia, but its impact on older pwMS remains largely unexplored Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to investigate how the diagnosis of sarcopenia using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) diagnostic tool in older pwMS is influenced by using upper extremity-based or lower extremity-based tests. Methods: The present cross-sectional study analysed baseline data from the PoTOMS trial. A total of n = 41 older pwMS and n = 27 healthy controls (HC) were included. Participants were assessed for sarcopenia using the EWGSOP2 diagnostic tools and a lower extremity muscle strength test. Results: Older pwMS had a preferentially lower muscle mass and strength in the lower extremities compared to HC. According to EWGSOP2 criteria, 5 % of older pwMS had reduced upper extremity strength, 7 % had reduced lower extremity strength, and 15 % had sarcopenic muscle mass. However, only 5 % were diagnosed with sarcopenia despite these reductions. Conclusion: The present study shows that the sarcopenia diagnosis in older pwMS is more sensitive when using a lower extremity test, underlined by the preferentially lower muscle mass and strength in older pwMS compared to HC. Hence, when evaluating sarcopenia in older pwMS the diagnostics test should rely on the lower extremity test.

AB - Background: Older people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) make up over one-third of the MS population. Ageing increases the risk of sarcopenia, characterised by reduced muscle mass, strength, and function. MS symptoms likely exacerbate sarcopenia, but its impact on older pwMS remains largely unexplored Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to investigate how the diagnosis of sarcopenia using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) diagnostic tool in older pwMS is influenced by using upper extremity-based or lower extremity-based tests. Methods: The present cross-sectional study analysed baseline data from the PoTOMS trial. A total of n = 41 older pwMS and n = 27 healthy controls (HC) were included. Participants were assessed for sarcopenia using the EWGSOP2 diagnostic tools and a lower extremity muscle strength test. Results: Older pwMS had a preferentially lower muscle mass and strength in the lower extremities compared to HC. According to EWGSOP2 criteria, 5 % of older pwMS had reduced upper extremity strength, 7 % had reduced lower extremity strength, and 15 % had sarcopenic muscle mass. However, only 5 % were diagnosed with sarcopenia despite these reductions. Conclusion: The present study shows that the sarcopenia diagnosis in older pwMS is more sensitive when using a lower extremity test, underlined by the preferentially lower muscle mass and strength in older pwMS compared to HC. Hence, when evaluating sarcopenia in older pwMS the diagnostics test should rely on the lower extremity test.

KW - Ageing

KW - EWGSOP2

KW - Multiple sclerosis

KW - Neuromuscular function

KW - Physical function

KW - Sarcopenia

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85210686743

U2 - 10.1016/j.msard.2024.106190

DO - 10.1016/j.msard.2024.106190

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 39631136

AN - SCOPUS:85210686743

SN - 2211-0348

VL - 93

JO - Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

JF - Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

M1 - 106190

ER -