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Optimising the use of SARC-F for the identification of muscle weakness by considering alternative cut-points: findings from the Newcastle SarcScreen project

Lookup NU author(s): Mo Osman, Professor Miles WithamORCiD, Professor Avan SayerORCiD, Professor Rachel CooperORCiD

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Abstract

© 2023, The Author(s).Purpose: We assessed the impact of applying different SARC-F cut-points for the identification of muscle weakness in an older clinical population. Methods: We included 159 men and 311 women aged 56–98 years who had completed the SARC-F questionnaire and had their maximum grip strength measured at an Older People’s Medicine Day Unit. We applied cut-points of ≥ 4, 3 and 2 to SARC-F and tested agreement with muscle weakness (grip strength < 27kg men, < 16kg women) in analyses stratified by sex and obesity status. Results: Prevalence of muscle weakness was 86.8% and 82.6% in men and women, respectively. Sensitivity of the SARC-F increased at lower cut-points (e.g. 81% for ≥ 4 vs 97% for ≥ 2 in women). There was typically greater sensitivity among women than men and among those classified as obese vs non-obese. Conclusions: These findings suggest that different cut-points may be required to optimise the utility of SARC-F for identifying muscle weakness in different patient sub-groups.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Osman M, Witham MD, Sayer AA, Cooper R

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: European Geriatric Medicine

Year: 2023

Pages: epub ahead of print

Online publication date: 22/08/2023

Acceptance date: 02/08/2023

Date deposited: 02/08/2023

ISSN (print): 1878-7649

ISSN (electronic): 1878-7657

Publisher: Springer

URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-023-00850-6

DOI: 10.1007/s41999-023-00850-6

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