Presence and Comparison of Sarcopenia in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Muscle mass evaluations in patients will be made using the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) (Multi Frequency Segmental Body Composition) method. According to the data obtained from the BIA device, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI). The ASMI cut-off point recommended by the EuropeanWorkingGroup on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) would be \<7.26 kg/m2 for men and \<5.5 kg/m2 for women. Patients with low ASMI will be evaluated as having sarcopenia.

In general, hand grip strength is one of two methods used to measure muscle strength in patients with suspected sarcopenia. Hand grip strength is related to strength in other muscles and can therefore be used as a tool to demonstrate muscle weakness. The hydraulic hand dynamometer will be used in all patients included in this study, and measurements will be recorded in kilogram. Measurements will be made with the patient in a sitting position on a chair, with the elbow close to the body and 90 degrees of flexion, and the wrist in neutral.Patients will be asked to grasp the dynamometer as firmly as possible. Three measurements will be taken for the patients and the average was taken. The recommended cut-off point for the hand grip test will be considered to be \<27 kg for men and \<16 kg for women.Patients with low hand grip strength will be evaluated as having possible sarcopenia.

Physical performance will be evaluated with a 4-meter general walking speed test. The patient will be asked to walk a distance of 4 meters at his normal pace, as in his daily life, and the time to walk the distance of 4 meters will be calculated in seconds. 4 meter general walking speed will be calculated in m/sec and speeds below 0.8 m/sec will be considered low walking speed.