Evaluation of the Hungarian-language SARC-F sarcopenia-screening questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• Sarcopenia, characterized by age-related decline in muscle mass and strength, significantly impacts functional ability and is classified as a disease.
• Early identification of sarcopenia is crucial for mitigating complications and adverse outcomes.
• The SARC-F questionnaire, developed for rapid risk assessment, is recommended as a primary screening tool by international guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Hungarian version of the SARC-F questionnaire for assessing sarcopenia risk.
• To evaluate the reliability and diagnostic performance of the Hungarian SARC-F instrument.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 105 individuals aged 65 and above participated in the study.
• Participants completed the Hungarian SARC-F questionnaire, alongside generic and disease-specific quality-of-life measures.
• Muscle mass, strength, and performance were assessed to evaluate the instrument's validity and screening capabilities.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of sarcopenia risk identified by the SARC-F test (≥4 points) was 36%, compared to 40% by the European consensus definition.
• Individuals diagnosed with sarcopenia exhibited significantly higher SARC-F total and domain scores.
• The Hungarian SARC-F demonstrated very good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.755), good specificity, and high negative predictive values.

Conclusions:

• The Hungarian version of the SARC-F questionnaire is a reliable, rapid, and cost-effective tool for predicting sarcopenia risk.
• This validated instrument facilitates timely detection of sarcopenia in Hungarian-speaking populations.
• Early screening enables prompt intervention to manage sarcopenia and its associated functional decline.