Sarcopenia among Adults with Cerebral Palsy in South Korea

Background: Most adults with cerebral palsy encounter newly developing physical health problems and premature functional decline with aging. These physical and functional losses along with the characteristic symptoms of cerebral palsy may heighten the risk of sarcopenia. Objective: To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia among a selected group of adults with cerebral palsy and to identify the factors associated with their sarcopenia among them. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University hospitals and communities for persons with disabilities. Participants: A total of 80 adults with cerebral palsy (46 men and 34 women with mean age of 42.8 ± 8.86 years) were included. Method: Muscle mass, strength, and physical performance were measured to diagnose sarcopenia. Participants also completed a structured questionnaire for physical, psychological, or socioeconomic attributes and health-related quality of life. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of sarcopenia in adults with cerebral palsy. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 47.9%. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with sex, the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), body mass index (BMI), and trunk fat. Male, higher GMFCS and lower BMI were significant risk factors of sarcopenia. Sarcopenic adults with cerebral palsy showed significantly lower health-related quality of life. Conclusion: The prevalence of sarcopenia in adults with cerebral palsy was higher than that of general population despite the young age of the selected group. Modifiable risk factor was a low BMI. Level of Evidence: III.