32 | Sarcopenia and chronic kidney disease: prevalence, correlation, and prognostic impact. The SARCOKID study

V. Gianturco¹, N. Skrypchenko², M.L. Puliti³, F.S. Caserta⁴ | ¹Tor Vergata University, Rome, Coniugi Bernardini's Hospital, Palestrina, Rome; ²Data Scientist, Rome; ³Coniugi Bernardini's Hospital, Palestrina, Rome; ⁴ASL Na 1, Naples.

Introduction. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in elderly. Recent research underscores a potent reciprocal relationship between CKD and sarcopenia: muscle wasting is significantly more common in renal patients and tends to exacerbate as kidney function declines.

Objectives. Specifically, the research focuses on Sarcopenia as a disease progression predictor in patients with CKD.
Materials and Methods. Patient’s evaluation comprehended: Medical and Pharmacological History, sarcopenia screening (SARC-F questionnaire, handgrip strength, Use of AndanteFIT for the assessment of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Appendicular ultrasound to determine muscle mass), Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) and MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) score, Routine Laboratory Analysis, including Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), microalbuminuria, 24-hour proteinuria, blood glucose, complete blood count (CBC), serum iron, ferritin, and total protein, albumin, total lymphocyte count, transferrin, and total cholesterol levels.

Results. Subjects were followed up for five years between 2021 and 2026. 231 participants (mean age of 67.9 years; 59.8% males) were included at the baseline. Sarcopenia was recognized in 64.5% of subjects at the beginning of the trial. Sarcopenia was independently associated with a higher risk of hospitalization for all causes (HR 2.08, CI 95% 1.01-5.39) and with a significantly higher rate of disease progression to renal replacement therapy (HR 1.93, CI 95% 1.03-6.13).

Conclusions. Sarcopenia could represent an independent prognostic factor for disease progression in older patients with CKD. Further studies will be needed to better comprehend underlying possible pathophysiological mechanisms.