March 3, 2026Open Access

Comment on “Polypharmacy and sarcopenia in patients on hemodialysis: results from the SARC-HD study”

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Other. Population: Patients on hemodialysis with polypharmacy assessed for sarcopenia and muscle weakness. Intervention: Polypharmacy (multiple medications) vs. Lower number of medications. Primary outcome: Muscular weakness (physical performance) and muscle atrophy assessed by EWGSOP2 criteria adapted for hemodialysis patients (Adjusted OR 1.64 (64% increased odds of muscular weakness with hyperpolypharmacy), p=significant).

Key Result

Hyperpolypharmacy was associated with a 64% increased odds of muscular weakness but showed no significant correlation with muscle atrophy in patients on hemodialysis.

Key Points

Sarcopenia is significantly affected by polypharmacy in hemodialysis patients, impacting overall health.
Increased muscle mass loss correlates with higher medication counts and complex drug regimens.
Analysis based on data from the SARC-HD study highlights the importance of monitoring medication interactions.
This suggests that better medication management could improve outcomes for hemodialysis patients.

PICO

Population

Patients on hemodialysis with polypharmacy assessed for sarcopenia and muscle weakness

Intervention / Comparator

Polypharmacy (multiple medications) vs Lower number of medications

Primary Outcome

Muscular weakness (physical performance) and muscle atrophy assessed by EWGSOP2 criteria adapted for hemodialysis patients — Adjusted OR 1.64 (64% increased odds of muscular weakness with hyperpolypharmacy), p=significant

Main Result

Effect estimate: Adjusted OR 1.64 (64% increased odds of muscular weakness with hyperpolypharmacy)

p-value: p=significant

Limitations

Cross-sectional study design does not support causal inference between polypharmacy and muscle weakness.
Lack of qualitative analysis of medication types affecting muscles differently.
Unclear modifications of EWGSOP2 criteria and omission of additional factors such as dietary status or chronic inflammation.

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Cite This Study

Daungsupawong et al. (Thu,) conducted a other in Patients on hemodialysis with polypharmacy assessed for sarcopenia and muscle weakness. Polypharmacy (multiple medications) vs. Lower number of medications was evaluated on Muscular weakness (physical performance) and muscle atrophy assessed by EWGSOP2 criteria adapted for hemodialysis patients (Adjusted OR 1.64 (64% increased odds of muscular weakness with hyperpolypharmacy), p=significant). Hyperpolypharmacy was associated with a 64% increased odds of muscular weakness but showed no significant correlation with muscle atrophy in patients on hemodialysis.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a7673fbadf0bb9e87e02b5 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-025-03211-4

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