Sara İLERİ, Mahmut Esad DURMUŞ, Özgür KARA
Türk Geriatri Dergisi - 2026;29(2):211-219
Introduction: Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, leading to increased risk of disability and mortality. Although chronic kidney disease is a recognized contributor to sarcopenia, the role of proteinuria as a potential marker remains unclear. We aim to investigate the association between dipstick-detected proteinuria and sarcopenia-related parameters in adults aged 40 years and older. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study included 1,513 participants aged 40-95 years. Sarcopenia was assessed according to EWGSOP2 criteria. Proteinuria was assessed using urine dipstick testing. Group comparisons were performed using nonparametric and categorical tests, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate independent associations after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and serum creatinine. Results: Significant differences across serum creatinine groups were observed in frailty status, nutritional status, and muscle quality (all p < 0.001). In univariate analyses, proteinuria was associated with lower grip strength, reduced STAR values, and poorer nutritional status; however, these associations were not maintained after adjustment. The multivariable model assessing proteinuria was not statistically significant. In contrast, confirmed sarcopenia was independently associated with older age, male sex, hypertension, and BMI, whereas diabetes mellitus was not. Grip strength was independently associated with age, serum creatinine, and nutritional status. Conclusions: Proteinuria was not independently associated with sarcopenia in this cohort. These findings suggest that sarcopenia is primarily driven by systemic and cardiometabolic factors rather than renal markers such as proteinuria. Further longitudinal studies using standardized assessment methods are needed to clarify these relationships.
