Detection of Sarcopenia in Community‐Dwelling Older Adults Using the SARC‐F Questionnaire: Findings From the Southampton Longitudinal Study of Ageing (SaLSA)

• Published in: JCSM communications 2024-07, Vol.7 (2), p.164-172
• Main Authors: Patel, Harnish P., Boswell, Evie, Laskou, Faidra, Westbury, Leo D., Bevilacqua, Gregorio, Bloom, Ilse, Cooper, Cyrus, Aggarwal, Pritti, Dennison, Elaine M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: community‐dwelling older people; sarcopenia; SARC‐F
• ISSN: 2996-1394; 2996-1394
• DOI: 10.1002/rco2.108

ABSTRACT Aims Sarcopenia is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The SARC‐F self‐rated questionnaire is a simple tool that can be rapidly implemented by clinicians to identify individuals with probable sarcopenia who may require further in‐depth assessment. A score ≥ 4 is predictive of sarcopenia and poorer outcomes. We sought to identify the prevalence and demographic correlates of probable sarcopenia in a newly formed cohort of community‐dwelling older adults. Methods A cross‐sectional analysis of 480 participants (219 men and 261 women) identified from primary care in whom a questionnaire ascertaining demographic, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, nutrition risk and SARC‐F score was completed between 2021 and 2022. Participant characteristics in relation to probable sarcopenia were examined using sex‐stratified logistic regression. Age was included as a covariate. Results The median (lower quartile, upper quartile) age was 79.8 (76.9, 83.5) years. 12.8% (28) of men and 23% (60) of women had probable sarcopenia. Older age was associated with probable sarcopenia in both sexes (odds ratio [95% CI]: men 1.10 [1.02, 1.19], p = 0.01; women 1.08 [1.02, 1.14], p = 0.01) as was higher malnutrition risk score (men: 1.30 [1.12, 1.51], p = 0.001; women: 1.32 [1.17, 1.50], p