What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine how ulcerative colitis disease activity correlates with parameters of sarcopenia.

January 23, 2026

P1201Parameters of sarcopenia associated with the activity of the UC

Key Points

To examine how ulcerative colitis disease activity correlates with parameters of sarcopenia.
Conducted a cross-sectional study of adults with ulcerative colitis.
Evaluated disease activity using the Mayo Index.
Assessed sarcopenia through gait speed and handgrip strength measurements.
Classified patients into frailty and non-frailty groups based on strength and functionality.
38.6% prevalence of sarcopenia among the study participants.
Sarcopenic patients had significantly lower weight and muscle strength compared to non-sarcopenic patients.
Gait speed was significantly associated with sarcopenia, linking lower speeds to increased risk.
The model showed acceptable fit, explaining 13-23% of variance in sarcopenia risk.

Abstract

Abstract Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon that can impair nutritional status and body composition. Inflammatory flare-ups promote a catabolic state that contributes to muscle loss and increases the risk of sarcopenia, which worsens prognosis and quality of life. Based on EWGSOP2 criteria, sarcopenia is identified through low muscle strength, reduced physical performance, and decreased muscle mass; handgrip strength and gait speed can indicate risk when direct lean-mass measures are unavailable. In UC, inflammation, reduced intake, weight loss, and corticosteroid use can accelerate muscle deterioration. Detecting functional markers of sarcopenia is essential to guide nutritional evaluation and treatment. Aim: To examine the association between UC disease activity and sarcopenia parameters in adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in UC patients aged 18–59 years from the IBD clinic at the General Hospital of Mexico “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga,” all of whom provided informed consent. Disease activity was evaluated using the Mayo Index. Sarcopenia was assessed through 4-meter gait speed (0.8 m/s = low performance, per EWGSOP2) and handgrip strength, calculated as the average of three trials with one-minute rest (27 kg in men; 16 kg in women = low strength). Based on strength and functionality, patients were classified into two groups: 1) Frailty and 2) Non-frailty. The association between variables was analyzed using χ². Results A total of 57 patients with idiopathic chronic ulcerative colitis were included (47.4% women; mean age 44.6 ± 14.5 years), of whom 43.9% were in remission and 56.1% in the active phase. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 38.6% (n = 22). Compared with non-sarcopenic patients, those with sarcopenia had lower weight (62.84 ± 15.27 vs. 73.27 ± 15.67 kg; p = 0.017), height (1.60 ± 0.08 vs. 1.66 ± 0.10 m; p = 0.037), and muscle strength (12.09 ± 6.30 vs. 27.09 ± 8.28 kg; p = 0.001), while gait speed showed a trend (p = 0.052). In the logistic regression model (weight, height, gait speed, dynamometry, sex), gait speed was significantly associated with sarcopenia (β = 0.511; p = 0.019) and weight showed a trend (p = 0.077). The model explained 13–23% of the variability and showed acceptable fit (χ² = 10.62; p = 0.059), indicating that lower gait speed increases the likelihood of sarcopenia in this population. Conclusion UC activity, measured by the Mayo Index, is linked to reduced muscle strength and physical performance, with greater impairment in patients with active disease. This indicates that clinical activity directly affects muscle function, highlighting the need to routinely assess sarcopenia during follow-up. References: 1. Dhaliwal A, Quinlan J, Overthrow K, Greig C, Lord J, Armstrong M, Cooper S. Sarcopenia in inflammatory bowel disease: a narrative overview. Nutrients. 2021;13. doi:10.3390/nu13020656 2. Ryan É, McNicholas D, Creavin B, Kelly M, Walsh T, Beddy D. Sarcopenia and inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2018;25(1):67-73. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy212 3. Tuttle C, Thang L, Maier A. Markers of inflammation and their association with muscle strength and mass: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev. 2020;64:101185. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2020.101185 Conflict of interest: Ms. Santoyo Chávez, Martha Alison: No conflict of interest Baños Vazquez, Roberto: No conflict of interest Rivera, Ernestina: No conflict of interest Mendoza Martinez, Viridiana Montsserrat: No conflict of interest Carrillo Rojas, Javier Ivanovychs: No conflict of interest Varela Martinez, Yessica Nohemí: No conflict of interest De Leon Rendon, Jorge Luis: Dr. Jorge Luis De León Rendón is a member of Advisory Boards, key opinion leader, and speaker for Abbvie Mexico, Takeda Mexico, and Janssen Mexico. He has served as a key opinion leader and lecturer for Schwabe Pharma Mexico, Servier, Pfizer, Alfasigma, and Siegfried Rhein Mexico. He has received support for research manuscript publication and editing from Takeda and Schwabe Pharma Mexico. Additionally, he has coordinated research studies and medical education programs with Shire, Bristol Myers Squibb, Takeda, Schwabe Pharma, Abbvie, Janssen, MSD, and Roche. Bueno Hernández, Nallely: No conflict of interest

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Cite This Study

Chávez et al. (Thu,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69730ed4c8125b09b0d1e995 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjaf231.1382

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