Diagnostic Performance of Calf Circumference, Thigh Circumference, and SARC-F Questionnaire to Identify Sarcopenia in Elderly Compared to Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia's Diagnostic Standard.

BACKGROUND

sarcopenia is one of many geriatric problems that may lead to major clinical outcomes. Calf and thigh circumference have good correlation with muscle mass, whereas SARC-F questionnaire is very predictive of muscle function. There has not been a study that evaluates the diagnostic performance of calf and thigh circumference in combination with SARC-F questionnaire in detecting sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of calf and thigh circumference in combination with SARC-F questionnaire compared to standard diagnostic methods of sarcopenia according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) to predict sarcopenia in patient aged 60 years or older.

METHODS

this cross-sectional study was conducted in Geriatric Clinic Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia during April-June 2018. Analysis was performed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to determine the cut-off point as well as sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV), positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+ and LR-) of calf and thigh circumference as an indicator of low muscle mass, and SARC-F questionnaire score to detect decreased muscle function.

RESULTS

from 120 participants, there were 46 men (38.3%) and 74 women (61.7%). The combination of calf circumference with cut-off point below 34 cm in men and below 29 cm in women, thigh circumference below 49 cm in men and below 44 cm in women with SARC-F questionnaire score of ≥4 have Sn, Sp, PPV, NPV, LR+, and LR- of 15.79%; 99.01%; 75.00%; 86.21%; 15.95; and 0.85 respectively.

CONCLUSION

combination of calf and thigh circumference with SARC-F questionnaire showed good diagnostic accuracy in predicting sarcopenia in elderly outpatients.