Sarcopenia and Risk of Falls in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease, a Meet of Three Geriatric Giants

AbstractBackground: Sarcopenia is devastating health problem in geriatric population in general and in patients with chronic kidney disease in particular.Aim: to assess the risk of falls in chronic kidney disease patients with sarcopenia.Methods: : A case control study was conducted, including 80 male and female elderly population aged 60 years old and above, at different stages of CKD including patients on hemodialysis, who were admitted to Ain Shams University Hospitals. They were divided into 41 cases and 39 controls according to the presence or absence of sarcopenia. History was taken, calf circumference was measured and blood sample was withdrawn for measuring creatinine level, parathyroid hormone and hemoglobin level. Risk of falls was assessed using gait speed and timed up and go test.Results: participants with sarcopenia had higher risk of falls, lower muscle mass, hand grip strength, gait speed and calf circumference. Calf circumference was associated with low gait speed, greater time in timed up and go test in chronic kidney disease participants with sarcopenia. Anemia was associated with low gait speed and hyperparathyroidism with higher score in timed up and go test.Conclusions: chronic kidney disease patients with sarcopenia have higher risk of falls. Calf circumference, anemia, and hyperparathyroidism are associated with higher risk of falls in these patients.