SARC-F: a symptom score to predict persons with sarcopenia at risk for poor functional outcomes

Abstract

BackgroundA brief, inexpensive screening test for sarcopenia would be helpful for clinicians and their patients. To screen for persons with sarcopenia, we developed a simple five‐item questionnaire (SARC‐F) based on cardinal features or consequences of sarcopenia.MethodsWe investigated the utility of SARC‐F in the African American Health (AAH) study, Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Internal consistency reliability for SARC‐F was determined using Cronbach's alpha. We evaluated SARC‐F factorial validity using principal components analysis and criterion validity by examining its association with exam‐based indicators of sarcopenia. Construct validity was examined using cross‐sectional and longitudinal differences among those with high (≥4) vs. low (<4) SARC‐F scores for mortality and health outcomes.ResultsSARC‐F exhibited good internal consistency reliability and factorial, criterion, and construct validity. AAH participants with SARC‐F scores ≥ 4 had more Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) deficits, slower chair stand times, lower grip strength, lower short physical performance battery scores, and a higher likelihood of recent hospitalization and of having a gait speed of <0.8 m/s. SARC‐F scores ≥ 4 in AAH also were associated with 6 year IADL deficits, slower chair stand times, lower short physical performance battery scores, having a gait speed of <0.8 m/s, being hospitalized recently, and mortality. SARC‐F scores ≥ 4 in the BLSA cohort were associated with having more IADL deficits and lower grip strength (both hands) in cross‐sectional comparisons and with IADL deficits, lower grip strength (both hands), and mortality at follow‐up. NHANES participants with SARC‐F scores ≥ 4 had slower 20 ft walk times, had lower peak force knee extensor strength, and were more likely to have been hospitalized recently in cross‐sectional analyses.ConclusionsThe SARC‐F proved internally consistent and valid for detecting persons at risk for adverse outcomes from sarcopenia in AAH, BLSA, and NHANES.

Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity Vary with Race/Ethnicity and Advancing Age

“…For such tools to become more commonplace, healthcare professionals need to be educated on the importance of sarcopenia and SO and how to incorporate routine screening and intervention for these conditions into their clinical practice. For example, screening for sarcopenia could be included as part of the Welcome to Medicare and annual Medicare wellness preventive exams using simple screening tools such as the SARC-F screen for sarcopenia [46].…”

Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Two Diseases with a Need for Combined Treatment Strategies - EASO Can Lead the Way

“…A score ≥ 4 points is reported to be predictive for sarcopenia and could be the trigger for a more detailed assessment of positively evaluated subjects [18] . The SARC-F questionnaire is so far one of the best available tools to screen for sarcopenia in routine medical practice, and its validity has already been proven in late-middle aged and elderly patients [19,20] . In order to get more information about muscle function, hand-grip tests are frequently performed and recommended [21] .…”

96Prevalence And Incidence Of Sarcopenia In The Very Old: Findings From The Newcastle 85+ Study

“…There is also interest in using questionnaire-based measures such as the SARC-F tool to screen those who require further assessment of possible sarcopenia. 27 We found that several common clinical factors such as number of prescribed medications were not associated with prevalent and/or incident sarcopenia. This may be because our study lacked sufficient power to detect such associations.…”