Association of endothelial dysfunction and peripheral arterial disease with sarcopenia in chronic kidney disease

Background Endothelial dysfunction and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which disturb skeletal muscle microperfusion, are highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We evaluated the association of endothelial dysfunction and PAD with sarcopenia in patients with non‐dialysis CKD. Methods This cross‐sectional study included 420 patients with stages 3–5 non‐dialysis CKD aged 69.0 ± 11.8 years. Skeletal muscle index (skeletal muscle mass/height2), handgrip strength, 6‐m gait speed and strength of hip flexion and knee extension were measured. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. Endothelial dysfunction and PAD were assessed using the vascular reactivity index (VRI) and ankle–brachial index (ABI), respectively. A VRI