Association between sarcopenia, physical performance and falls in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a 1-year prospective study

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of falls and fractures. Sarcopenia occurs more frequently in RA patients due to the inflammatory processes. Early diagnosis and prevention programmes are essential to avoid serious complications. The present study aims to identify risk factors for falls related to sarcopenia and physical performance. Methods: In a 1-year prospective study, a total of 289 patients with RA, ages 24-85 years, were followed using quarterly fall diaries to report falls. At the baseline, medical data such as RA disease duration and Disease Activity Score (DAS28(CRP)) were collected. Self-reported disability was assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Appendicular skeletal mass was determined by Dual X-ray-Absorptiometry (DXA). Physical performance was evaluated by handgrip strength, gait speed, chair rise test, Short Physical Performance Battery, and FICSIT-4. Muscle mechanography was measured with the Leonardo Mechanograph (R). Sarcopenia was assessed according to established definitions by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) and The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH). Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to explore associations with falling. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) were performed, and the area under the curve is reported. Results: A total of 238 subjects with RA completed the 1-year follow-up, 48 (20.2%) experienced at least one fall during the observational period. No association was found between sarcopenia and prospective falls. Age (OR = 1.04, CI 1.01-1.07), HAQ (OR = 1.62, 1.1-2.38), and low FICSIT-4 score (OR = 2.38, 1.13-5.0) showed significant associations with falls. Conclusions: In clinical practice, a fall assessment including age, self-reported activities of daily life and a physical performance measure can identify RA patients at risk of falling

Higher frequency of depressive and anxious symptoms in patients attending an early arthritis clinic compared to data of the general population

Der nachfolgende Text entspricht dem Abstract der Arbeit „Höhere Prävalenz von depressiven und ängstlichen Symptomen bei Früharthritis-Patienten im Vergleich zur Normalbevölkerung“ (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00393-018-0571-x) Hintergrund: Zahlreiche Studien und Registerdaten belegen, dass die Depression, häufig verbunden mit Angststörungen, bei Patienten mit einer rheumatoiden Arthritis (RA) sehr häufig zu finden ist. Inwiefern diese psychiatrischen Erkrankungen in einem sehr frühen Erkrankungsstadium bereits relevant sind, ist aktuell noch unzureichend untersucht. Methodik: 176 Patienten mit frühen Gelenkssymptomen (<1 Jahr) beantworteten in einer Früharthritissprechstunde (FRA-Sprechstunde) die Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) zur Ermittlung der Prävalenz depressiver und ängstlicher Symptome. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit Daten der deutschen Allgemeinbevölkerung, sowie zwischen den Diagnosegruppen verglichen. Ergebnisse: Mit 47,7 % war die Prävalenz des globalen Distress bei FRA-Patienten fast doppelt so hoch wie bei der entsprechenden Vergleichsgruppe aus der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Dies bestätigte sich auch für depressive und ängstliche Symptome. FRA-Patienten ohne endgültigen Nachweis einer rheumatologisch-muskuloskelettalen Erkrankungen (RME) zeigten nahezu die gleiche Punktprävalenz wie Patienten mit gesicherter RME. In der multiplen logistischen Regression war der Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) positiv mit dem globalen Distress assoziiert (OR 3.63), während die visuelle Analogskala für die globale Krankheitsaktivität (VAS) positiv mit Symptomen der Depression assoziiert war (OR 1,03). Weibliche FRA-Patienten (OR 5,45) scheinen eine höhere Wahrscheinlichkeit für entsprechende Symptome zu haben, während Patienten über 60 Jahren weniger ängstlich als jüngere Patienten zu sein scheinen (OR 0,11). Fazit: Die hohe Prävalenz depressiver und ängstlicher Symptome, im Vergleich zur allgemeinen Bevölkerung, ist eine Herausforderung für Rheumatologen, Orthopäden und Allgemeinärzte, vor allem hinsichtlich der Differenzierung möglicher psychosomatischer Komponenten bei nicht entzündlichen Gelenkbeschwerden. Unsere Ergebnisse legen nahe, psychische Probleme bei Rheumapatienten so früh wie möglich zu evaluieren, da diese bereits von Beginn an großen Einfluss auf das Schmerzempfinden und die körperliche Funktionalität haben können.Der nachfolgende Text entspricht dem englischen Abstract der Arbeit „Höhere Prävalenz von depressiven und ängstlichen Symptomen bei Früharthritis-Patienten im Vergleich zur Normalbevölkerung“ (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00393-018-0571-x) Objective: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients attending an early arthritis clinic (EAC) was collected in a cross-sectional survey, compared to data of the general German population as well as to routine outcome assessment. Methods 176 patients with joint pain were examined in an EAC. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) was used at the first presentation of patients complaining of early inflammatory joint symptoms (<1 year). Results were compared to normative data of the general population and within the diagnosis groups. Results: With 47.7 % the prevalence of global distress for EA patients was almost twice as high compared to the corresponding general population. For depressive symptoms, it was twice as high and even three times higher for symptoms of anxiety. EAC patients without evidence of inflammatory joint disease (IJD) showed nearly the same point prevalence as patients with IJD. In multiple logistic regression, Health Assessment Questionnaire was positively associated with global distress (OR 3.63) while the Visual Analogue Scale for global disease activity was positively associated with symptoms of depression (OR 1.03). Female EA patients (OR 5.45) appear to have a higher likelihood for experiencing corresponding symptoms whereas patients of more than 60 years appear to be less anxious younger patients (OR 0.11). Conclusion: High prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in EAC compared to general population is a challenge for rheumatologists to differentiate these groups during the diagnosis processes. Our results suggest that screening for depression and anxiety in rheumatic patients as early as possible is essential, given their impact on pain and functional status

Prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using the revised EWGSOP2 and the FNIH definition

Objective In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chronic inflammation can enhance the development of sarcopenia with a depletion of muscle mass, strength and performance. Currently, a consensus definition for sarcopenia and solid results for the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with RA are lacking. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 289 patients ≥18 years with RA were recruited. Dual X-ray absorptiometry was performed to measure appendicular lean mass. Assessment of muscle function included grip strength, gait speed and chair rise time. Prevalence of sarcopenia was defined using the updated European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) definition. In addition, the RA study population was compared with existing data of healthy controls (n=280). Results 4.5% of patients (59.4±11.3 years) and 0.4% of controls (62.9±11.9 years) were affected by sarcopenia according to the EWGSOP2 definition. Body weight (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.97), body mass index (BMI) (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.87), C reactive protein (CRP) (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.10), disease duration (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.36), current medication with glucocorticoids (OR 5.25, 95% CI 2.14 to 24.18), cumulative dose of prednisone equivalent (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.05) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.27 to 4.86) were associated with sarcopenia in patients with RA. In contrast, the prevalence was 2.8% in patients compared with 0.7% in controls when applying the FNIH definition, and body height (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.88), BMI (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.41), CRP (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11) and HAQ (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.17 to 6.59) were associated with sarcopenia. Conclusion Sarcopenia is significantly more common in patients with RA compared with controls using the EWGSOP2 criteria. The FNIH definition revealed sarcopenia in individuals with high BMI and fat mass, regardless of the presence of RA. Trial registration number It was registered at the German Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS) as well as WHO Clinical Trials Registry (ICTRP) (DRKS00011873, registered on 16 March 2017)