Study Finds Muscle Mass and Strength Loss Common in Parkinson’s

Nearly one in three people with Parkinson’s disease in Japan also have sarcopenia, a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, according to a new study. Researchers found that measuring calf circumference—the distance around the thickest part of the lower leg—was the most effective screening tool for sarcopenia in Parkinson’s patients. However, Parkinson’s-related factors such as motor symptoms, disease severity, duration, and medication use did not correlate with the occurrence of sarcopenia. The study suggests the prevalence of sarcopenia in this population may be underestimated due to the study's limited size. The research, titled “Prevalence, Impact, and Screening Methods of Sarcopenia in Japanese Patients With Parkinson’s Disease: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study,” was published in the journal Cureus. Sarcopenia, characterized by muscle weakness and increased risk of falls and fractures, is more common in people with Parkinson’s than in those of the same age without the disease. To explore this, a team at Wakayama Medical University examined 47 adults with Parkinson’s, most of whom were women. They found that 32% of the participants, including three men and 12 women, were diagnosed with sarcopenia or severe sarcopenia. Although sarcopenia did not correlate with sex, Parkinson’s-related factors such as co-existing conditions, disease stage, motor impairment, or medication use also showed no correlation with sarcopenia. However, a significant number of Parkinson’s patients with sarcopenia had reduced calf circumference and lower skeletal muscle mass index. While physical performance tests generally showed worse outcomes in the sarcopenia group, only the five-time sit-to-stand test (FTSST) revealed a statistically significant difference. Calf circumference measurement was found to be the most accurate test for identifying sarcopenia, particularly in men. The study emphasizes the need for more comprehensive and straightforward methods to assess sarcopenia in Parkinson’s patients. The findings align with previous research, indicating that sarcopenia affects approximately 30% of people with Parkinson’s. The study also highlights the importance of developing better screening methods to accurately assess sarcopenia in this population.