Additional Parameters In Discriminating Classifications Of Sarcopenia For An Elderly Population In Taiwan

Abstract

Sarcopenia is an age-related degenerative loss of muscle mass and muscular function. Other than classification criteria from the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), such as skeletal muscle index (SMI), handgrips strength (HGS), and 6-m normal walking speed (NWS), many other sarcopenic-related parameters have also been studied in the literature. PURPOSE: To discriminate classification of sarcopenia using related sarcopenic parameters. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional investigation. Subjects were above the age of 65 in Taoyuan, Taiwan. Measurement data of SMI, HGS, 6-m NWS, thigh circumferences and calf circumferences, muscular strength in knee extension and flexion, 30-s and 5 times sit-to-stand, and 8-inch timed-up-and-go were collected. Discriminant analysis was employed to detect related parameters that differentiated classification of sarcopenia using EWGSOP criteria. Significant level was at α = .05. RESULTS: A total 384 cases were included with averaged age of 71.2 ± 5.4 (male: N=135; female: N=249). Using the EWGSOP criteria, the prevalence of pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia were 35.42% and 22.66% respectively. SMI and HGS contributed commonly to discriminate sarcopenia classification in male, female, and all subjects, but not 6-m NWS in male (p= .331). However, additionally, thigh circumference, calf circumference, and 8-inch timed-up-and-go could discriminate classification of sarcopenia for all subjects with correct prediction rate of 95.6% for male and 92.0% for female subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to SMI and HGS, a brief thigh and calf circumference measurements in anthropometry, and the 8-inch timed-up-and-go in physical performance may seem appropriate in promotion of sarcopenia prevention for older adults in the community in Taiwan. Supported by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Grant CORPG3G0022.