SARC-F Is Better Correlated with Muscle Function Indicators than Muscle Mass in Older Hemodialysis Patients

Sarcopenia can be characterized by European Consensus for Sarcopenia (EWGSOP2) criteria, but it methods are not easily accessible. Likewise, the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a Chair, Climb stairs and Falls (SARC-F) has been proposed.

The aim of this study was i) to evaluate the prevalence for risk sarcopenia and ii) to correlate the SARC-F with components of the EWGSOP2 consensus in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

This cross-sectional study enrolled ninety-five (male n= 59; 62%) HD older patients. Sarcopenia risk was assessed using the SARC-F, which ≥4 score indicates sarcopenia risk. Sarcopenia was confirmed through of the EWGSOP2 consensus, including the handgrip strength (HGS <27kg for men and <16kg for women) using the dynamometer, muscle mass through appendicular muscle mass (ASMI/m2 <7.0 kg/m2 for men and 5.5 kg/m2 for women) using the bioimpedance electrical, and physical performance through of gait speed (GS <0.8 m/s).

From 95 patients, n=21(22%) presented sarcopenia risk. SARC-F ≥4 group are older (64.9±13.9 vs. 56.9±14.6 y, p= 0.028), presented lower ASMI (7.4±1.2 vs. 8.3±1.8 kg/m2, p=0.033), HGS (20.5±5.7 vs. 27.2±10.2 kg, p=0.005), and GS (0.5±0.1 vs. 0.7±0.1 m/s, p=0.001) than SARC-F<4 group. SARC-F score was negatively correlated with EWGSOP2 components: ASMI x SARC-F (r=-0.27, p=0.007), HGS x SARC-F (r=-0.35, p=0.0005), and GS x SARC-F (r=-0.47, p<0.0001). Although, no difference of number of patients with low or normal ASMI values was found, 62% and 95% of SARC-F≥4 group patients presented low HGS and gait speed, respectively.

In older HD patients, 22% presented sarcopenia risk. In addition, SARC-F is better correlated with muscle function indicators (HGS and gait speed) than muscle mass.