Volume 29, Issue 163, September 2025

Sarcopenia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases

Maria Anna Żmijewska¹, Natalia Katarzyna Wagner-Bieleń^2♦, Martyna Zwierzchowska³, Agata Antoniak⁴, Anna Maria Jocz⁵, Anna Centkowska⁶, Joanna Karina Banaśkiewicz⁷, Aleksandra Maria Żyta³, Gabriela Helena Dąbrowska⁸, Jakub Ziółkowski³

¹Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
²Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, ul. Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
³Independent Public Clinical Hospital of Prof. W. Orlowski CMKP, ul. Czerniakowska 231, 00-416 Warsaw, Poland
⁴Praski Hospital of the Transfiguration of the Lord, al. "Solidarności" 67, 03-401 Warsaw, Poland
⁵Specialist Provincial Hospital in Ciechanów, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 2, 06-400 Ciechanów, Poland
⁶Wolski Hospital of Dr. Anna Gostyńska, ul. Marcina Kasprzaka 17, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
⁷Independent Public Health Care Complex - Hospital in Iłża, ul. Bodzentyńska 17, 27-100 Iłża, Poland
⁸The Infant Jesus Teaching Hospital, ul. Williama Heerleina Lindleya 4, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Natalia Katarzyna Wagner-Bieleń Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute ul. Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland

ABSTRACT

Background: Sarcopenia, characterized by a progressive decrease in skeletal muscle mass and decline in muscle function, is a common factor amongst patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Purpose of review: This narrative review summarizes the most recent evidence regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical implications, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic strategies for sarcopenia in CKD patients. Methods: The study used a recent literature synthesis method. Results: 25-50% of patients with CKD have the presence of sarcopenia. Major contributors are chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and alterations in hormone signaling. It has been advocated that muscle strength is a more reliable predictor of poor outcomes than muscle mass. Conclusion: Early recognition and an organized approach play an important role in enhancing their clinical course.

Keywords: Sarcopenia, chronic kidney disease, muscle strength, renal rehabilitation, inflammation

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e172ms3710

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i163.e172ms3710

Published: 21 September 2025