Background Sarcopenia is characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength, and/or decreased physical performance leading to increased all-cause mortality. We studied the prevalence and risk factors for sarcopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Method A prospective cross-sectional study of 182 adult patients with RA. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia: 2019 Consensus Update on Sarcopenia Diagnosis and Treatment. The body impedance analyzer was used to estimate body composition. Hand grip dynamometer and six-meter walk test were performed to evaluate muscle strength and physical performance, respectively. Results Number (26.4%) patients had sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was common in females, older age, lower body mass index (BMI), and poorer nutritional status. Advanced age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.07 (95% CI 1.02–1.11), p = 0.002], low BMI [HR (95% CI) 0.81 (0.72–0.90), p < 0.001], high disease activity [HR (95% CI) 1.64 (1.22–2.12), p = 0.045], and depression [HR (95% CI) 1.18 (1.01–1.37), p = 0.04] were independently associated with sarcopenia.Conclusion Sarcopenia was found to be common in Thai RA, and its independent risk factors are age, disease activity, BMI, and depression. Well-controlled disease activity may be beneficial for preventing or minimizing sarcopenia and improving patient outcomes.

Background: Sarcopenia is a common condition that can occur in people with chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with this condition in patients with RA. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 182 adult patients with RA. They were diagnosed with sarcopenia using the Asian Working Group's 2019 update on sarcopenia diagnosis. The body composition was estimated using a body impedance analyzer. Physical performance and muscle strength were evaluated with six-meter walk test and hand grip dynamometer, respectively. The Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28 and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were used to assess disease activity and functional status, respectively. Results: The majority (87.4%) were female with a mean age (SD) of 59.2 (10.2) years. They had been suffering from RA for a long time (median disease duration [Interquartile range (IQR)] 11 [6-16] years) and had mildly active disease [mean DAS28 (SD) 2.61 (0.83)] with slightly functional disability [median HAQ (IQR) 0.34 (0-0.65)]. Of these, 26.4% had sarcopenia. Advanced age [relative risk (RR) 1.07 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.11), p = 0.002], low body mass index (BMI) [RR (95% CI) 0.81 (0.72-0.90), p < 0.001], high disease activity [RR (95% CI) 1.64 (1.22-2.12), p = 0.045], and depression [RR (95% CI) 1.18 (1.01-1.37), p = 0.04] were independently associated with sarcopenia. Conclusions: Sarcopenia was found to be common in Thai RA, and its independent risk factors are age, disease activity, BMI, and depression. Well-controlled disease activity may be beneficial for preventing or minimizing sarcopenia and improving patient outcomes.