Objectives: To investigate the association between sarcopenia and carotid atherosclerosis in male patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Here we enrolled 79 male patients with CAD verified by coronary angiography (median age = 63 (57; 66) years). Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the recommendations of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP, 2010) by examining muscle strength, muscle mass, and muscle function. Severity of carotid atherosclerosis was assessed by color duplex scanning by measuring intima-media thickness and percent stenosis. Patients were then divided into those without sarcopenia (n = 31), with pre-sarcopenia (n = 21), and sarcopenia (n = 27).

Results: Patients with sarcopenia had significantly higher intima-media thickness than those without sarcopenia (p = 0.005). Multiple carotid plaques and > 50% stenosis were significantly more frequent in patients with sarcopenia compared with those with pre-sarcopenia (48.15% versus 9.50%, p = 0.015) and without sarcopenia (48.15 % versus 12.90%, p = 0.013). Severity of carotid atherosclerosis negatively correlated with musculoskeletal index (r = -0.227, p = 0.047).

Conclusion: Severe carotid atherosclerosis was associated with a decrease in muscle mass, suggesting a link between atherosclerosis and sarcopenia and potentially elevated risk of adverse outcomes in patients with a sarcopenia comorbidity.

Disclosure of Interests: None declared