Frequency of sarcopenia by sarc-f screening test and relationship with quality of life and risk factors: preliminary report of a multicenter study

Abstract

Objective: Sarcopenia is a common aging-induced generalized decrease in muscle mass, strength, and function. Owing to the impact of sarcopenia on quality of life (QoL), disability and mortality, awareness is necessary in order to correctly identify sarcopenic elderly and the related risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of sarcopenia by SARC-F screening test and to estimate the association between sarcopenia and QoL and risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter study with older adults aged 60 years or older, was conducted in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinics of 7 health centers from October 2019 to January 2020. Demographic properties comprising age, gender, BMI, comorbid diseases and drug usage were recorded. Muscle strength, and physical performance were measured by handgrip strength and 4m-gait speed tests respectively. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used for nutritional status and sarcopenia quality of life questionnaire (SARQOL) was used for QoL. SARC-F test with cut-off point of 4 was used for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. The relationships with QoL, sarcopenia and risk factors were evaluated. Results: A total of 153 (106 female, 47 male) elderly with a mean age of 71.8 ± 5.9 y were included. According to SARC-F criteria, the frequency of sarcopenia was determined as 37%. The mean age, BMI, number of comorbid diseases and drugs were significantly higher in sarcopenic group than in nonsarcopenic elderly. The scores of SARQOL, MNA and gait speed were lower indicating impaired QoL, malnutrition and functional disability in sarcopenic elderly than in non-sarcopenic participants (p<0.001). The most related risk factors with sarcopenia were recorded as nutritional status, number of drugs, gait speed and BMI. Conclusion: The frequency of sarcopenia screened by SARC-F was higher than expected in our study group. Mostly QoL, malnutrition, drugs for comorbidity, functional disability and obesity were related with sarcopenia. These findings highlight the relevance of the detection of sarcopenia and QoL in elderly as a part of routine clinical practice in order to impede progression towards disability and other adverse health outcomes.