Association between frailty, sarcopenia, and functional capacity in chronic kidney disease patients: a cross-sectional analysis

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to contribute to skeletal muscle dysfunction, which progressively worsens with disease advancement. If left unaddressed, it can accelerate mitochondrial dysfunction, potentially leading to increased muscle atrophy. This study aimed to explore the relationship between frailty, sarcopenia, and functional capacity in individuals with CKD. Materials and Methods: A total of 69 CKD patients (stages G1–G4) were recruited between November 2022 and March 2023 from the inpatient and outpatient departments of physiotherapy and nephrology at MGM Medical College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Frailty was evaluated using the fried frailty index, while sarcopenia was assessed using the SARC-CalF scale, which includes six domains. Functional capacity was measured using the 6-min walk test. Since the data did not follow a normal distribution, Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to analyze the associations. Results: The study included 69 participants (53.6% male, 46.4% female), with a mean age of 51.54 ± 10.07 years. Among them, 69.6% ( n = 48) were classified as frail, and 30.4% ( n = 21) as pre-frail. Sarcopenia was identified in 47.8% ( n = 33) of the participants. The mean 6-min walking distance was 299.30 ± 84.63 m. A significant positive correlation was found between frailty and sarcopenia ( ρ = 0.603, P < 0.0001), and a significant negative correlation between frailty and functional capacity ( r = −0.445, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Frailty is frequently seen in CKD patients and is strongly associated with both sarcopenia and decreased functional capacity, which may lead to negative health outcomes. These findings support the need for integrated screening strategies in CKD care. Early detection of these issues is crucial for effective patient management, targeted assessments, and the development of personalized renal rehabilitation programs designed to minimize adverse events, reduce morbidity, and prevent mortality.