Research Article

The frequency of sarcopenia in HIV patients: Effects on functional performance

Volume: 16 Number: 1 March 15, 2026
TR EN

The frequency of sarcopenia in HIV patients: Effects on functional performance

Abstract

Aim: The present study aims to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (HIV) patients and to evaluate functional performance. Material and Methods: 67 patients with HIV and 50 healthy control were included in the study. For detection for sarcopenia, the thighs of both lower extremities were measured using the Modified Sonographic Tight Adjustment Ratio (STAR) method, which was obtained by adding the bilateral rectus femoris and vastus intermedius muscle thicknesses measured by ultrasound. Hand muscle strength (HMS) was measured with a dynamometer. Knee Muscle strength (KMS) was measured isokinetic muscle testing. Physical performance was determined using timed up-and-go test (TUGT), 5-repetition sit-to-stand test (5RSTS), and 6-min walk test (6MWT). Results: According to the STAR values calculated based on body mass index, sarcopenia was present in 10 (17.5%) of 57 male patients. Sarcopenia was not detected in female patients. There was no significant difference with respect to demographic characteristics among the two groups. HMS, KMS, TUGT, 5RSTS and 6MWT values were significantly different in two groups (p<0.005) Conclusions: This study confirms a significant prevalence of sarcopenia among people living with HIV, particularly in male patients, and demonstrates its association with clinically meaningful declines in muscle strength and functional performance. The use of the ultrasonography-based Modified STAR score provided a reliable and practical method for assessing region-specific muscle loss, offering a valuable diagnostic tool in this population

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial or personal interests that could have influenced the work reported in this paper.

Ethical Statement

Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Ondokuz Mayis University (no: 2022/175).

Thanks

Author's covering letter for initial submission Title: The frequency of sarcopenia in HIV patients: Effects on functional performance Dear Editor, We are pleased to submit our "Research Article" entitled " The frequency of sarcopenia in HIV patients: Effects on functional performance " for your consideration for publication in Bozok Medicine journal. Our manuscript has not been published elsewhere, and if accepted in Bozok Medicine journal. We will not be republished in any other journal in the same or similar form, without the written consent of the Editor of Bozok Medicine journal. We declare no financial or other relationships leading to a conflict of interest. The manuscript has been read and approved by all authors. Sincerely Corresponding author: Bora Uzuner, M.D 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey Tel.: +90 5304162566

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pain, Medical Infection Agents

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 15, 2026

Submission Date

January 31, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 1

APA
Uzuner, B., Hancı, E., Durmuş, D., Ketenci, S., Yüksel, M., Beniç, E., & Deveci, A. (2026). The frequency of sarcopenia in HIV patients: Effects on functional performance. Bozok Tıp Dergisi, 16(1), 107-114. https://doi.org/10.16919/bozoktip.1878298
AMA
1.Uzuner B, Hancı E, Durmuş D, et al. The frequency of sarcopenia in HIV patients: Effects on functional performance. Bozok Tıp Dergisi. 2026;16(1):107-114. doi:10.16919/bozoktip.1878298
Chicago
Uzuner, Bora, Erdal Hancı, Dilek Durmuş, et al. 2026. “The Frequency of Sarcopenia in HIV Patients: Effects on Functional Performance”. Bozok Tıp Dergisi 16 (1): 107-14. https://doi.org/10.16919/bozoktip.1878298.
EndNote
Uzuner B, Hancı E, Durmuş D, Ketenci S, Yüksel M, Beniç E, Deveci A (March 1, 2026) The frequency of sarcopenia in HIV patients: Effects on functional performance. Bozok Tıp Dergisi 16 1 107–114.
IEEE
[1]B. Uzuner et al., “The frequency of sarcopenia in HIV patients: Effects on functional performance”, Bozok Tıp Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 107–114, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.16919/bozoktip.1878298.
ISNAD
Uzuner, Bora - Hancı, Erdal - Durmuş, Dilek - Ketenci, Sertaç - Yüksel, Muharrem - Beniç, Elifsu - Deveci, Aydın. “The Frequency of Sarcopenia in HIV Patients: Effects on Functional Performance”. Bozok Tıp Dergisi 16/1 (March 1, 2026): 107-114. https://doi.org/10.16919/bozoktip.1878298.
JAMA
1.Uzuner B, Hancı E, Durmuş D, Ketenci S, Yüksel M, Beniç E, Deveci A. The frequency of sarcopenia in HIV patients: Effects on functional performance. Bozok Tıp Dergisi. 2026;16:107–114.
MLA
Uzuner, Bora, et al. “The Frequency of Sarcopenia in HIV Patients: Effects on Functional Performance”. Bozok Tıp Dergisi, vol. 16, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 107-14, doi:10.16919/bozoktip.1878298.
Vancouver
1.Bora Uzuner, Erdal Hancı, Dilek Durmuş, Sertaç Ketenci, Muharrem Yüksel, Elifsu Beniç, Aydın Deveci. The frequency of sarcopenia in HIV patients: Effects on functional performance. Bozok Tıp Dergisi. 2026 Mar. 1;16(1):107-14. doi:10.16919/bozoktip.1878298