AUTHOR=Li Jiaye , Lu Ye , Deng Mingming , Tong Run , Zhang Qin , Bian Yiding , Miao Jinrui , Wang Zilin , Zhou Xiaoming , Hou Gang 

TITLE=Prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1187760

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2023.1187760

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=Background: Sarcopenia often occurs as a comorbidity in many diseases which ultimately affects patient prognosis. However, it has received little attention in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia in patients with IPF. Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched using relevant MeSH terms until December 31, 2022. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used for quality assessment and data analysis were performed using Stata MP 17.0 (Texas, USA). A random effects model was adopted to account for differences between articles, and the I2 statistic was used to describe statistical heterogeneities. Overall pooled estimates obtained from a random effects model were estimated using the metan command. Forest plots were generated to graphically represent the data of the meta-analysis. Meta-regression analysis was used for continuous variables. Egger test was used to evaluate publication bias and, if publication bias was observed, the trim and fill method was used. Main results: The search results showed 154 studies, and five studies (three cross-section and two cohort studies) with 477 participants were finally included. No significant heterogeneity was observed among studies included in the meta-analysis (I2=16.00%) and our study’s publication bias is low (Egger test, p=0.266). The prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with IPF was 26% (95% CI, 0.22-0.31). The risk factors for sarcopenia in patients with IPF were age (p=0.0131), BMI (p=0.001), FVC% (p<0.001), FEV1% (p=0.006), DLco% (p≤0.001) and GAP score (p=0.003). Conclusions: The pooled prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with IPF was 26%. The risk factors for sarcopenia in IPF patients were age, BMI, FVC%, FEV1%, DLco% and GAP score. It is important to identify these risk factors as early as possible to improve the life quality of patients with IPF.