Table 2.
Sarcopenia Screening Tools and Confirmatory Tests
| Tests | Cutoff Scores | Implementation | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARC-F | Positive test: Scores ≥ 4 | Screening: May be administered by a physician or an associated health professional | Slower gait speed, lower strength, and an increased likelihood of hospitalization within a year of the test response; Sensitivity = 4% to 10%, specificity = 94% to 99%; Positive test values may prompt confirmatory testing and referral for physical therapy. |
| Gait speed | Positive test: Walking speed < 1.0 m/s | Screening: May be administered by a physician or an associated health professional | Lower muscle performance, and increased risk of sarcopenia and lower extremity functional limitations; Relative risk = 2.2 (95% CI = 1.8 – 2.7) in ambulatory older adults; Positive test values indicate a need for a formal exercise prescription and may prompt further assessment. |
| Grip strength | Positive test: Men: < 30 kg Women: < 20 kg |
Confirmation test or screening: Often administered by an associated health professional; may be administered by a physician |
Low muscle strength; associated with all-cause mortality; Sensitivity = 63%; specificity = 70%; Positive test values indicate a need for a formal exercise prescription, and may prompt further assessment; test results may be used for sarcopenia staging. |
| SPPB | Positive test: Score < 7 | Confirmation test: Often administered by an associated health professional; may be administered by a physician (Represents a more comprehensive assessment of functional in comparison to gait test) | Diminished physical functioning and balance; associated with compromised ability to perform activities of daily living; Relative risk = 4.2 (compared with higher performing individuals who score 10–12 on the SPPB); Positive test values may prompt a referral for physical therapy; test results may be used for sarcopenia staging. |
| Lean body mass | Positive test: Men: < 8.50 kg/m2 Women: < 5.75 kg/m2 |
Confirmation test: DXA administered by radiology staff; alterative measures such as BIA are often administered by an associated health professional | Low muscle mass; associated with functional limitations and disability; Likelihood is estimated > 2 times greater older men and > 3 times greater in older women; Test results may be used for sarcopenia staging; ideally, muscle mass values are used in conjunction with the assessment of strength and functional status. |
Abbreviations: BIA, bioimpedance analysis; CI, confidence interval; DXA, dual X-ray absorptiometry; SPPB, Short Physical Performance Battery.