Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis Experience Lower Sarcopenia-related Quality of Life

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint disease that is prevalent in older adults and is associated with pain, reduced mobility, and functional limitations that can negatively impact quality of life (QoL). Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function, is frequently observed in individuals with KOA and may further exacerbate functional decline. Sarcopenia-related quality of life (SarQoL) is a validated tool for assessing QoL in patients with sarcopenia; however, it has not yet been explored in individuals with KOA. Better understanding the impact of sarcopenia-related factors on QoL in KOA may help guide targeted rehabilitation strategies. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare SarQoL scores in individuals with KOA and Healthy Controls (HC). METHODS: A total of 26 participants completed the SarQoL questionnaire including individuals with KOA (n = 14, age: 58.0 ± 3.0 years) and age- and sex-matched HC (n = 12, age: 56.5 ± 2.9 years). The SarQoL questionnaire assessed factors specific to sarcopenia that affect QoL across seven domains: D1: physical and mental health, D2: locomotion, D3: body composition, D4: functionality, D5: activities of daily living (ADLs), D6: leisure activities, and D7: fears. Each domain and an overall score, Total SarQoL, were assessed on a 0 – 100 scale with higher scores indicating higher QoL. Independent sample t-tests were used to determine statistical significance of SarQoL scores between groups. Data are reported as mean ± SE and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Effect size between groups is reported as Cohen’s d. RESULTS: KOA scored lower than HC for Total SarQoL (KOA: 67.3 ± 2.7, HC: 89.5 ± 1.5, p < 0.001, d = 2.65) and for 5 of the 7 domains: D1 (KOA: 63.5 ± 2.9, HC: 88.0 ± 2.0, p < 0.001, d = 2.58), D2 (KOA: 69.0 ± 4.7, HC: 91.7 ± 7.4, p < 0.001, d = 1.61), D3 (KOA: 59.5 ± 3.7, HC: 76.7 ± 3.8, p < 0.004, d = 1.24), D4 (KOA: 69.9 ± 3.0, HC: 93.4 ± 1.8, p < 0.001, d = 2.47), and D5 (KOA: 65.5 ± 3.0, HC: 90.2 ± 1.7, p < 0.001, d = 2.65). Groups were not different for D6 (KOA: 53.4 ± 4.0, HC: 62.3 ± 5.5, p = 0.19, d = 0.53) and D7 (KOA: 94.6 ± 2.2, HC: 99.0 ± 1.0, p = 0.88, d = 0.67). CONCLUSION: Individuals with knee osteoarthritis demonstrate significantly lower sarcopenia-related quality of life compared to healthy controls, particularly in domains of physical and mental health, locomotion, body composition, functionality, and activities of daily living. The SarQoL questionnaire may be a valuable instrument in detecting the risk of sarcopenia in musculoskeletal conditions. Data emphasize the importance of therapeutic interventions targeted at symptoms associated with sarcopenia such as loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function to improve quality of life for knee osteoarthritis patients.