The associations between serum leptin, vitamin D status, sarcopenic obesity, muscle strength and physical performance in osteoarthritis (OA) remain uncertain.
To analyse the relationships between serum leptin, vitamin D status, muscle strength and physical performance in OA patients.
A total of 208 knee OA patients were enrolled. Serum leptin, vitamin D, muscle strength and physical performance were evaluated.
OA patients with sarcopenic obesity had significantly higher serum leptin levels than those with non-sarcopenic obesity. In addition, knee OA patients with sarcopenic obesity displayed low grip strength and poor physical performance. Furthermore, high serum leptin was negatively associated with vitamin D and physical performance.
Serum leptin levels were correlated with low vitamin D, reduced muscle strength and functional impairment, suggesting that serum leptin might serve as a biomarker reflecting physical performance in OA patients.