Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteosarcopenia: Associated Factors

Our study is a cross-sectional study, and its aim is to compare and analyze the prevalence of sarcopenia and osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with a control group and to reveal the impact of sarcopenia on osteoporosis, fall risk, and fracture risk. This prospective cross-sectional study will include 100 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 100 healthy controls, matched for age and sex. Patients will be consecutively and meticulously enrolled based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

A detailed medical history and examination will be performed on the patients, and their clinical and sociodemographic characteristics will be recorded. Blood tests for RA (RF, Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP), CRP, ESR) and disease activity levels (DAS28) will be recorded. The prevalence of osteosarcopenia will be assessed in both the RA and healthy control groups.These groups will be evaluated using various scales and tests (including power, performance tests) including musculoskeletal ultrasonographic measurements and clinical functional assessment tests. he sarcopenic group will be categorized based on the level of sarcopenia, according to the new ISarcoPRM criteria (non-sarcopenic, dynapenic, sarcopenic, and severe sarcopenic). Osteosarcopenia will be evaluated for both groups, and the collected data will be analyzed with primary and secondary outcomes. The analysis will explore the potential relationships between rheumatoid inflammation, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis.