SARC-F in hospitalized, geriatric medical patients - Feasibility, prevalence of risk of sarcopenia, and characteristics of the risk group, including one-year follow-up

Background and objectives: SARC-F is an interview-based screening-tool recommended to rapidly screen for risk of sarcopenia - the loss of muscle mass and strength. Not previously investigated, this observational study aimed to assess the feasibility of the SARC-F screening tool in Danish geriatric medical patients, estimate the prevalence of risk, and investigate associations to predefined variables.

Methods: This was an observational cohort study with a one-year follow-up. All non-isolated patients ≥65 years, understanding Danish and admitted to a Danish geriatric medical ward in the capital region of Denmark, were recruited. If readmitted during the study period, they were not included again. The following data were collected upon recruitment; demographics, nutritional risk screening (NRS-2002), BMI, calf-circumference, Barthel-index, health-related Quality of life (QoL), hand-grip strength (HGS), and length of hospital admission. Additionally, the one-year follow-up included mortality, admission(s) to hospital, and visits to the emergency-room.

Results: From September 2017 to February 2018, 461 patients were admitted, 377 eligible, and 301 included. Study feasibility was 80%, and estimated feasibility if implemented in daily clinical practice was 85%, as some patients had to be excluded from screening due to cognitive impairment. The prevalence of the risk of sarcopenia upon admission for participants were 64.5%. Being at risk were characterized by significantly lower HGS, Barthel-index, and QoL, as well as longer admissions (men only), and one-year mortality (female only) (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion: Use of SARC-F is feasible in a geriatric setting, but only in older adults without severe cognitive problems. Risk of sarcopenia among geriatric patients ≥65 years is high, and the risk group is characterized by lower strength, functional- and QoL measurements, longer hospitalization (men only), and increased mortality (women only).