Abstract
Introduction
The SARC-F scale is a newly developed tool to diagnose sarcopenia and obviate the need for measurement of muscle mass. SARC-F ≥ 4 is defined as sarcopenia. The questions of SARC-F cover physical functions targeting sarcopenia or initial presentation for sarcopenia. The aim of the study is to explore the application of SARC-F in the Chinese people.
Methods
Two hundred thirty Chinese people over 65 years old were assessed by the SARC-F scale, PSMS, Lawton IADL and the shortened version of the falls efficacy scale-international (the short FES-I). Hospitalization was investigated. Physical performance and strength were measured. The association of SARC-F with other scales or tests was analyzed.
Results
Poor physical performance and grip strength were associated with SARC-F ≥ 4 independently (P<0.005). The value for agreement of SARC-F ≥ 4 and cutoff points of tests were 0.391 to 0.635. The short FES-I were correlated to SARC-F scores (Spearman’s coefficient 0.692). Poor PSMS and Lawton IADL scores were associated with SARC-F ≥ 4(P=0.000) and SARC-F ≥ 4 was associated with hospitalization in the past 2 years (P=0.000).
Conclusion
The SARC-F scale can identify old Chinese people with impaired physical function who may suffered from sarcopenia. SARC-F judgment reflects fear of falling, indicates the hospitalization events and is associated with ability of daily life. Thus, SARC-F may be a simple and useful tool for screening individuals with impaired physical function. Further studies on SARC-F in Chinese people would be worthy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Visser, M., et al., Leg muscle mass and composition in relation to lower extremity performance in men and women aged 70 to 79: the health, aging and body composition study. J Am Geriatr Soc, 2002. 50(5): p. 897–904.
Landi F, et al., Sarcopenia as a risk factor for falls in elderly individuals: Results from the ilSIRENTE study. Clin Nutr., 2012.
Cawthon, P.M., et al., Do muscle mass, muscle density, strength, and physical function similarly influence risk of hospitalization in older adults? J Am Geriatr Soc, 2009. 57(8): p. 1411–1419.
Cooper, R., D. Kuh, and R. Hardy, Objectively measured physical capability levels and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 2010. 341: p. c4467.
Cruz-Jentoft, A.J., et al., Sarcopenia: European consensus on definition and diagnosis: Report of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Age Ageing, 2010. 39(4): p. 412–423.
Fielding, R.A., et al., Sarcopenia: an undiagnosed condition in older adults. Current consensus definition: prevalence, etiology, and consequences. International working group on sarcopenia. J Am Med Dir Assoc, 2011. 12(4): p. 249–256.
Morley, J.E., et al., Sarcopenia with limited mobility: an international consensus. J Am Med Dir Assoc, 2011. 12(6): p. 403–409.
Kim, H.K., et al., Effects of exercise and amino acid supplementation on body composition and physical function in community-dwelling elderly Japanese sarcopenic women: a randomized controlled trial. J Am Geriatr Soc, 2012. 60(1): p. 16–23.
Liu, C.J. and N.K. Latham, Progressive resistance strength training for improving physical function in older adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2009(3): p. CD002759.
Mithal, A., et al., Impact of nutrition on muscle mass, strength, and performance in older adults. Osteoporos Int, 2013. 24(5): p. 1555–1566.
McKinney, J.D., et al., Relationship between vitamin D status and ICU outcomes in veterans. J Am Med Dir Assoc, 2011. 12(3): p. 208–211.
Vellas, B., et al., Designing Pharmaceutical Trials for Sarcopenia in Frail Older Adults: EU/US Task Force Recommendations. J Nutr Health Aging 2013. 7: p. 7.
Malmstrom, T.K. and J.E. Morley, Sarcopenia: The target population. J Frailty Aging, 2013. 2(l):p. 55–56.
Malmstrom, T.K. and J.E. Morley, SARC-F: A Simple Questionnaire to Rapidly Diagnose Sarcopenia. J Am Med Dir Assoc, 2013.
Lawton, M.P. and E.M. Brody, Assessment of older people: self-maintaining and instrumental activities of daily living. Gerontologist, 1969. 9(3): p. 179–186.
Kempen, GL, et al., The Short FES-I: a shortened version of the falls efficacy scale-international to assess fear of falling. Age Ageing, 2008. 37(1): p. 45–50.
Guralnik, J.M., et al., A short physical performance battery assessing lower extremity 1. fonction: association with self-reported disability and prediction of mortality and nursing home admission. J Gerontol, 1994. 49(2): p. M85–M94.
Podsiadlo, D. and S. Richardson, The timed “Up & Go”: a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc, 1991. 39(2): p. 142–148.
Leslie, W.D., et al., Fracture risk assessment without bone density measurement in routine clinical practice. Osteoporos Int, 2012. 23(1): p. 75–85.
Leslie, W.D., et al., Selection of Women Aged 50–64Yr for Bone Density Measurement. J Clin Densitom, 2013.
Vellas, B., et al., Looking for frailty in community-dwelling older persons: the Gérontopôle Frailty Screening Tool (GFST). J Nutr Health Aging, 2013. 7: p. 3.
Mijnarends, D.M., et al., Validity and Reliability of Tools to Measure Muscle Mass, Strength, and Physical Performance in Community-Dwelling Older People: A Systematic Review. J Am Med Dir Assoc, 2012.
Landis, J.R. and G.G. Koch, The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics, 1977. 33(1): p. 159–174.
Schoene, D., et al., Discriminative ability and predictive validity of the timed up and go test in identifying older people who fall: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc, 2013. 61(2): p. 202–208.
Abellan van Kan, G., et al., Gait speed at usual pace as a predictor of adverse outcomes in community-dwelling older people an International Academy on Nutrition and Aging (IANA) Task Force. J Nutr Health Aging, 2009. 13(10): p. 881–889.
Howland, J., et al., Covariates of fear of falling and associated activity curtailment. Gerontologist, 1998. 38(5): p. 549–555.
Tinetti, M.E., et al., Fear of falling and fall-related efficacy in relationship to functioning among community-living elders. J Gerontol, 1994. 49(3): p. M140–M147.
Friedman, S.M., et al., Falls and fear of falling: which comes first? A longitudinal prediction model suggests strategies for primary and secondary prevention. J Am Geriatr Soc, 2002. 50(8): p. 1329–1335.
Zijlstra, G.A., et al., Interventions to reduce fear of falling in community-living older people: a systematic review. J Am Geriatr Soc, 2007. 55(4): p. 603–615.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cao, L., Chen, S., Zou, C. et al. A pilot study of the SARC-F scale on screening sarcopenia and physical disability in the Chinese older people. J Nutr Health Aging 18, 277–283 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-013-0410-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-013-0410-3