Health Psychology Research / HPR / Online First / DOI: 10.14440/hpr.2483470
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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Association between Calf and Thigh Circumference with Clinical and Functional Characteristics in Parkinson’s Disease

Ketsirin Kittipongphakorn1,2 ,  Wisan Teeratantikanon3 ,  Soontaraporn Huntula4 ,  Witoon Mitarnun5 ,  Supaporn Silalertdetkul1 ,  Watunyou Khamros1 ,  Witid Mitranun1*
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1 Department of Sports Science, Faculty of Physical Education, Sports, and Health, Srinakharinwirot University, Ongkharak, Nakhon Nayok 26120, Thailand
2 Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, Mueang, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
3 Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Mueang, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
4 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
5 Neurology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Buriram Hospital, Mueang, Buriram 31000, Thailand
HPR, e81240004 https://doi.org/10.14440/hpr.2483470
Submitted: 25 January 2025 | Accepted: 5 April 2025 | Published: 9 June 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Background

Lower extremity circumference may serve as a practical screening tool for sarcopenia in older adults. However, research on calf circumference (CC) and thigh circumference (TC) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains limited.

Objective

This study examines the relationship between CC and TC and clinical characteristics, functional performance, disease severity, quality of life, and cognitive function in PD.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 24 patients with PD. Clinical characteristics, functional performance tests, CC, and mid-TC were assessed. Disease severity was evaluated using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), cognitive function with the Thai Mental State Examination, and quality of life using the PD Questionnaire-8. Linear regression analysis was performed to explore relationships between lower extremity circumferences and related factors.

Results

The patients had a mean age of 64.4 years (standard deviation [SD]: 7.22), and included 11 men (45.8%). The average disease duration was four years (SD: 1.12). Based on the CC criteria, eight patients were identified as having sarcopenia. Both CC and TC were negatively correlated with UPDRS part II scores. The left and right CC also showed significant negative correlations with the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8) mobility score. Specifically, left CC was associated with a β coefficient of −1.940 (95% confidence interval [CI] of B: −3.628 – −0.251, p=0.026), and right CC with a β of −1.961 (95% CI of B: −3.657 – −0.265, p=0.025).

Conclusion

The negative correlations between lower extremity circumferences and UPDRS part II and PDQ-8 mobility scores suggest that reduced muscle circumferences may indicate greater impairment in daily activities and mobility.

Keywords
Unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale
Sarcopenia
Neurodegenerative disorder
Funding
None.
Conflict of interest
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
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Health Psychology Research, Electronic ISSN: 2420-8124 Published by Health Psychology Research
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