Appendicular skeletal muscle mass: A more sensitive biomarker of disease severity than BMI in adults with mitochondrial diseases

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219628
• Publication Date: 2019-07-25T17:32:39Z
• Authors: Yue Hou; Zhiying Xie; Xutong Zhao; Yun Yuan; Pan Dou; Zhaoxia Wang
• Keywords: Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis; Mass index

The study aimed to evaluate the body composition of patients with mitochondrial diseases (MD) and correlate it disease severity. Overall, 89 (age ≥ 18 years) MD were recruited, including 49 chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) 40 encephalomyopathy lactate acidosis stroke-like episodes (MELAS). Body composition, fat mass index (FMI), fat-free (FFMI), skeletal muscle (SMI), appendicular (ASMI), examined using multifrequency bioelectric impedance analysis. Clinical assessments, strength, usual gait speed, severity determined by Newcastle Mitochondrial Disease Adult Scale score (NMDAS), performed. comparisons between group age- gender-matched healthy controls, as well correlations anthropometric measurements, analyzed. Height, weight, (BMI), FFMI, SMI, ASMI significantly lower in than controls. Notably, low was noted 69.7% (62/89) patients, 22 also presenting compromised physical performance indicated decreased resulting 24.7% satisfied sarcopenia diagnostic criteria. more negatively correlated height, BMI. Subgroup analysis showed that MELAS subgroup, ASMI; whereas CPEO only SMI. Additionally, positively associated strength. Altogether, compared BMI, is a sensitive biomarker predicting MD, both patients.