P165 Characterization and risk of sarcopenia in patients with Ulcerative Colitis, compared with older and younger adults. Cross-sectional study.

Alison , S.C.(1);Ylse , G.G.(2);Viridiana , M.M.(1);Bueno Hernández, N.(1);

(1)General Hospital of Mexico Dr. Eduardo Licega, Research division, Mexico City-, Mexico;(2)Medica Sur, Gastroenterology, Mexico City, Mexico;

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by being associated with a large number of extraintestinal manifestations that can affect any organ before or during the course of the disease, one of which is sarcopenia. Which is a progressive disorder of the generalized skeletal muscle that causes a decrease in muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. In a patient with UC, it can cause an increased risk of falls and fractures, impaired ability to perform daily activities, and increased mortality. The objective of this study was to characterize and measure the risk of sarcopenia in UC patients compared to elderly people. 

Methods

The study included 78 people of both genders and treated in the gastroenterology service of the Hospital General de México “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga ”. This was a cross-sectional study in patients with UC, elderly people, and healthy volunteers. Sarcopenia was diagnosed through measurement of muscle mass (bioelectric impedance), muscle strength (dynamometry), and physical performance (gait speed and Sit to Stand Test). And all the participants were divided into presarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia. 

Results

In this study 26 patients with UC, 22 older adults, and 30 healthy volunteers were included. In the UC group, there was a mean age of 40±10, in the elderly people group had a mean of 68±9.09 and healthy volunteers was 39±9.16. We can see that in the three groups there was a greater presence of women (UC: 57.7%; elderly 68.2% and healthy volunteers: 73.3%). The prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly higher in the UC group (27%) than in the elderly people (14%) and healthy volunteers (3%) group (P<0.05). However, the presence of presarcopenia was higher in elderly people (41%), compared to UC (23%) and healthy volunteers (17%) (P<0.05). The risk of developing sarcopenia was higher in UC patients compared to elderly people (OR=12.8; 95%CI=1.4–11.8; P=0.008). In UC patients there was lower physical performance (m/s=7.52±1.15) compared to the elderly people (m/s=7.72±1.39) and healthy volunteers (m/s=4.66±0.74). 

Conclusion

Sarcopenia has a high prevalence in patients with UC. Patients with a diagnosis of UC have a higher risk of presenting sarcopenia compared to older adults. Sarcopenia manifests with physical deterioration in UC patients. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary for the early detection of sarcopenia to avoid the risk of falls, fractures, impaired movement capacity, increased mortality, and poor response to treatment.