Abstract
Objectives
Sarcopenia is a generalized and progressive skeletal muscle disorder and has been
proven to be associated with many diseases; however, the correlation between sarcopenia
and pain has not yet been systematically clarified. This review aimed to investigate
the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with pain and to ascertain whether pain is
independently associated with sarcopenia.
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Setting and Participants
A systematic literature search was performed from the Cochrane Central Register of
Controlled Trials, Embase, MEDLINE and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process, In-Data-Review,
and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Daily and Versions for observational studies from
inception until February 2021, and our search was updated on December 31, 2021.
Methods
Sarcopenia prevalence was calculated according to the corresponding number of patients
with sarcopenia and pain. We performed meta-analyses with random effects models to
calculate the pooled prevalence of sarcopenia in pain and its correlations. Subgroup
analyses were also performed based on pain classification, pain location, and diagnostic
criteria for sarcopenia. Heterogeneity between the studies was described using the
I2 statistic.
Results
Fourteen observational studies (13,953 participants, 44% women, and mean age from
40.1 to 76.6 years) were included. Study quality was rated moderate to high. The overall
sarcopenia prevalence in patients with pain was 0.11 (95% CI 0.07–0.15, P < .001; I2 = 92.3%). People with pain were independently associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia
than those without pain [odds ratio (OR) 1.35; 95% CI 1.17–1.56; P = .025; I2 = 51.1%]. Subgroup analyses showed that the cumulative prevalence and effect measures
of sarcopenia were increased when individuals suffered secondary musculoskeletal pain (Prevalence =
12%; OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.19–1.78) and low back pain (Prevalence = 21%; OR 1.95; 95%
CI 1.22–3.12).
Conclusions and Implications
The prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with pain is relatively high, and pain is
significantly associated with sarcopenia in older adults. Attention is needed to screen
sarcopenia among patients with pain and optimize its early detection and management
in clinical practice.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 23, 2022
Footnotes
This study was supported by grants from the Chinese National Science & Technology Pillar Program (2020YFC2005600), Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2021YFS0136), 1.3.5 project for disciplines of excellence, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (ZYJC21005), 1·3·5 project for disciplines of excellence–Clinical Research Incubation Project, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (19HXFH012), and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (Z20191003, Z20192009).
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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