What question did this study set out to answer?

This study evaluates the relationship between sarcopenia and dyspnea severity and quality of life in interstitial lung disease patients.

May 20, 2026

D23-03 To Study the Association of Sarcopenia With Severity of Dyspnea and Quality of Life in Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Key Points

This study evaluates the relationship between sarcopenia and dyspnea severity and quality of life in interstitial lung disease patients.
Cross-sectional study conducted at AIIMS Rishikesh
Sarcopenia assessed using AWGS 2019 criteria, including hand grip strength and appendicular skeletal mass index
Dyspnea and quality of life quantified using mMRC scale and EuroQoL-5D-5L questionnaire
Sarcopenia found in 19.8% of ILD patients, with higher dyspnea grades in 72% of sarcopenic individuals vs. 31% non-sarcopenic (p<0.001)
Sarcopenic patients had lower median health utility scores: 0.32 vs. 0.79 (p<0.001)
Pulmonary function was significantly reduced in sarcopenic patients (FVC: 58.2% vs. 69.4%, FEV₁: 64.1% vs. 75.7%, DLCO: 43.7% vs. 54.5%, 6MWD: 268m vs. 354m; all p<0.01)

Abstract

Abstract Rationale Sarcopenia—defined as progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength—is increasingly recognized in chronic respiratory diseases. In interstitial lung disease (ILD), its contribution to exercise limitation, dyspnea, and poor quality of life remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the association between sarcopenia and both dyspnea severity and quality of life in patients with ILD. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, AIIMS Rishikesh. Adult ILD patients were evaluated for sarcopenia using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria, which include Hand Grip Strength (HGS) and Appendicular Skeletal Mass Index (ASMI) measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Dyspnea severity was quantified using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, and quality of life using the EuroQoL-5D-5L questionnaire. Pulmonary function parameters (FVC, FEV₁, DLCO) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were compared between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups. Results Of 91 ILD patients (mean age 51.4 ± 12.3 years; 44% male), sarcopenia was identified in 19.8% (mean age 62.8 ± 10.3 years). Patients with sarcopenia had significantly higher dyspnea grades (mMRC ≥3 in 72% vs. 31%; p0.001) and markedly poorer health utility scores (median EuroQoL 0.32 vs. 0.79; p0.001). Sarcopenic individuals also showed lower mean FVC (58.2 ± 13.6% vs. 69.4 ± 15.1%), FEV₁ (64.1 ± 14.8% vs. 75.7 ± 13.9%), DLCO (43.7 ± 12.1% vs. 54.5 ± 13.7%), and 6MWD (268 ± 69 m vs. 354 ± 78 m; all p0.01). Conclusions Sarcopenia is prevalent among ILD patients and is strongly associated with dyspnea severity and quality of life. Routine screening for sarcopenia using simple functional and body composition assessments may enable early identification of high-risk individuals. Integrating nutritional and pulmonary rehabilitation interventions could potentially improve functional outcomes in this population. This abstract is funded by: None

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