Tada M, et al. - Researchers gauged the correlations between sarcopenia and disease activity, physical function, laboratory data and body composition at baseline in a prospective, observational study (CHIKARA study) of RA patients. They used a bioelectrical impedance analyzer to measure body composition. In patients with RA whose disease activity was mild, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 28%. Findings suggested an independent association of low BMI, high fat mass and high MMP3 with sarcopenia. In patients with RA, MMP3 might be a useful marker for sarcopenia.