Sarcopenia and dynapenia is correlated to worse quality of life perception in middle-aged and older adults with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies that assess the relationship between nutritional status and quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease, despite the well-established negative impact of sarcopenia and dynapenia on functional capacity and quality of life. These conditions impair protein-muscular status and are prevalent in individuals with Parkinson's disease. This study aimed to examine the relationship between nutritional status, including body composition, functional capacity, and diagnosis of sarcopenia and dynapenia, and quality-of-life perception in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in two Parkinson's disease centers in the northeast of Brazil. The researchers assessed muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance to diagnose dynapenia, sarcopenia and functional capacity. Quality of life was estimated using the Parkinson's disease Quality of Life Questionnaire.

RESULTS: We found positive correlations between quality of life and variables such as severity and duration of the disease, as well as positive screening for sarcopenia ( p <0.001). Negative correlations were observed between quality of life and muscle strength and functional capacity. The study also found that individuals with sarcopenia and dynapenia had significantly worse quality-of-life scores compared to those who did not have these nutritional outcomes ( p <0.05; p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The presence of sarcopenia, dynapenia, low gait speed, disease duration, and severity had an impact on higher scores in the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire, indicating a worsening perception of quality of life.