Evaluating SARC-F, SARC-CalF, and Calf Circumference as Diagnostic Tools for Sarcopenia in Thai Older Adults: Results From a Nationwide Study

Completed

• Conditions: Sarcopenia; Diagnosis
• Interventions: Diagnostic Test: SARC-F Questionnaire; Diagnostic Test: Calf Circumference Measurement; Diagnostic Test: SARC-CalF Questionnaire

• Registration Number: NCT06558617
• Lead Sponsor: Siriraj Hospital

Brief Summary

As the elderly population grows, musculoskeletal disorders, including sarcopenia, have become a critical area of study due to their association with falls and fractures. Sarcopenia, characterized by decreased muscle mass, is prevalent among older adults and poses a significant risk for falls. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the SARC-F and SARC-CalF questionnaires, along with calf circumference measurements, in screening for sarcopenia among Thai community-dwelling older adults, following the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria.

Detailed Description

The data utilized in this analysis were derived from the Thai Musculoskeletal Diseases Nationwide Study. This cross-sectional study targeted Thai adults aged 60 years and older, conducted between March 2021 and August 2022. Participants were sampled using a multi-level sampling technique to ensure representativeness from community-dwelling older adults across 12 provinces, encompassing Thailand's six primary geographical regions.

Participants were evaluated for possible sarcopenia or sarcopenia, according to AWGS 2019 criteria, by using SARC-F questionnaire, calf circumference measurement, SARC-CalF questionnaire, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM).

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-03-01
• Primary Completion: 2022-08-31
• Study Completion: 2022-08-31
• Status Verified: 2024-08
• Study First Submitted: 2024-08-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-08-14
• Study First Posted: 2024-08-16
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-08-17
• Last Update Posted: 2024-08-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 2543

Inclusion Criteria

• Thai adults aged 60 years and older

Exclusion Criteria

• missing data on SARC-F, SARC-CalF, and calf circumference
• unable to walk independently
• bedridden individuals
• neuromuscular disorders or severe comorbidities that could impair their ability to perform performance-based tests

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Thai community-dwelling older adults	Calf Circumference Measurement	-
Thai community-dwelling older adults	SARC-F Questionnaire	-
Thai community-dwelling older adults	SARC-CalF Questionnaire	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM)	up to 4 weeks	To assess appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), we used the Tanita RD-545, a dual-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) device (Tanita Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Previous studies have demonstrated that this BIA method is reliable and comparable to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for diagnosing sarcopenia in Thai elderly adults. The appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) was calculated by dividing the ASM by the square of the height. According to the 2019 criteria of the AWGS, low muscle mass is defined as \<7.0 kg/m² for men and \<5.7 kg/m² for women.
Handgrip strength	up to 4 weeks	Participants were asked to squeeze a digital Smedley spring hand dynamometer (Takei 5401 Digital Dynamometer; Takei, Tokyo, Japan) with maximum effort while standing with fully extended arms at their sides. The grip size was adjusted for each participant's hand size, and 2 or 3 trials were performed, with the highest output value recorded. Handgrip strengths \< 28 kg in males and \< 18 kg in females were classified as low muscle strength, per the AWGS 2019 criteria.
5-time sit-to-stand test (5TSTS)	up to 4 weeks	Participants were directed to sit upright on armless chairs with their backs supported firmly by the backrest. They were then instructed to stand up as quickly as possible for 5 repetitions with their arms crossed, trunk upright, and hips and knees fully extended. The time taken by each participant to complete the test from the initial sitting to the fifth sitting was recorded. The test is considered abnormal if it takes equal or more than 12 seconds to complete the task.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University; 🇹🇭 Bangkoknoi, Bangkok, Thailand