THYROTOXICOSIS AND ITS RELATION TO SARCOPENIA, MUSCLE STRENGTH, MUSCLE MASS AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE.

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia is a syndrome, considered one of the main risk factors for morbidity and mortality among adults. Thyrotoxicosis may contribute to its development.

Aim: To assess the physical well-being among women with thyrotoxicosis and to determine the risk of sarcopenia among them; 13 women over 40 years of age with thyrotoxicosis took part in this study.

Materials and methods: Grip strength was used to assess muscle strength. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass, adjusted for body size was used to asses muscle quantity. Physical performance was measured by gait speed test. We divided women in groups: group A - patients with newly diagnosed thyrotoxicosis and group B - patients who had started treatment.

Results: The values of muscle strength, muscle mass and gait speed were lower in group A compared to group B. Three of the patients in group A were diagnosed with severe sarcopenia. Thus the frequency of sarcopenia was 50% in this group. None of the women in group B met the criteria for sarcopenia.Despite the small number of women in this study, we can conclude that untreated thyrotoxicosis is a risk factor for decreased muscle strength, quantity and physical performance and could cause secondary sarcopenia.