Longitudinal impact of sarcopenia and its components on falls, fractures, and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis: a six-year study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease with articular and extra-articular manifestations. Chronic inflammation may contribute to sarcopenia independently of age. While cross-sectional studies report sarcopenia in 24-30% of RA patients, longitudinal data remain limited. This study aimed to assess long-term changes in sarcopenia and body composition in RA patients and explore their associations with clinical features and health outcomes.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, 90 RA patients were followed for a median of 6.4 years (IQR: 5.8-7.0). Clinical features, falls, fragility fractures, and mortality were recorded. Body composition (BMI, appendicular lean mass index [ALMI], fat mass index [FMI]) was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorp

SUBMITTER: do Espirito Santo RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12659329 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature