Impact of sarcopenia in clinical and functional outcomes and dependency degree in stroke patients

Abstract

Background: Stroke presents high morbidity. Sarcopenia is a poorer prognostic factor in different pathologies. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the impact of sarcopenia on important outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke. Patients and methods: A prospective cohort study of patients > 45 years of age with recent ischemic stroke was performed, assessed at inclusion, and followed up at 3 months. The presence of sarcopenia, clinical, and functional outcomes and degree of dependence was evaluated. Results: Twenty-eight stroke patients were included, the mean aged was 68.5 years, 42.8% had sarcopenia, the patients with sarcopenia presented statistically significantly lower strength on the healthy body side, lower bilateral brachial and calf circumference, and lower skeletal muscle mass and a tendency to present greater disability, dependence, and low muscle mass after 3 months. Conclusions: Patients with ischemic stroke and sarcopenia have worse clinical outcomes, lower strength, as well as a trend towards increased risk of disability, dependency, and low muscle mass after 3 months. Sarcopenia assessment should be routinely performed in stroke patients.