ArticlePloS one2025
The impact of reduced skeletal muscle mass at stroke onset on 3-month functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Association of Sarcopenia With Global, Motor, Cognitive, and Swallowing Function Prognosis in Stroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Brain and behavior · 2026Pooled it
- Co-existence of Possible Sarcopenia and Dysphagia is Associated with Poor Functional Outcomes in Patients with Acute Stroke: A 1-Year Follow-up Study.Annals of geriatric medicine and research · 2026Observational
- NutrigramFrontiers in nutrition · 2026Article
- Impact of sarcopenia on functional and cognitive recovery in Caucasian post-stroke patients following rehabilitation.Frontiers in nutrition · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
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Abstract
introductionSarcopenia, characterized by reduced skeletal muscle mass (RMM), is increasingly recognized as a significant factor influencing outcomes in various health conditions, including stroke. Although most studies focus on sarcopenia developing during stroke rehabilitation, the impact of sarcopenia present at the onset of acute ischemic stroke remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the effect of RMM at stroke onset on 3-month functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients. MATERIALS AND
methodsWe prospectively enrolled acute ischemic stroke patients admitted between May 2019 and December 2019. Muscle mass was accessed early during hospitalization using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and patients were categorized into RMM and normal muscle mass (NMM) groups based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria. Functional outcomes at 3 months were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), with unfavorable outcomes defined as mRS scores 2-5. Multivariable logistic regression and SHAP (Shapley Additive exPlanations) analyses were used to evaluate the independent impact of RMM on 3-months functional outcomes.
resultsA total of 99 patients were analyzed. The RMM group had a significantly higher prevalence of unfavorable outcomes at 3 months compared to the NMM group (p < 0.001). Patients with RMM were older and presented with more severe strokes. Multivariable analysis confirmed RMM as an independent predictor of unfavorable outcomes (adjusted OR: 8.07, 95% CI: 1.603-40.66, p = 0.011), even after adjusting for age and initial stroke severity. SHAP analysis ranked RMM as the second most influential predictor of unfavorable outcomes, following NIHSS on admission. These findings indicate that RMM not only worsens initial stroke severity but also independently hinders post-stroke recovery.
conclusionsReduced muscle mass at the onset of acute ischemic stroke is a significant, independent predictor of unfavorable outcomes at 3 months. In addition to its impact on recovery, RMM is linked to older age and more severe strokes, worsening prognosis. Maintaining muscle mass is also crucial for stroke prevention, as it supports cardiovascular health and resilience. Early identification and intervention for sarcopenia can improve recovery and reduce future stroke risk.
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