Recent consensus on definition and diagnosis for sarcopenia (EWGSOP2): agreement with the first consensus (EWGSOP1) and with tools for screening sarcopenia in older women

Abstract

Purpose The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) recently updated the definitions of sarcopenia. However, it is not well known the impact on sarcopenia prevalence in older adults using this new consensus. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the agreement between sarcopenia diagnosis using the first (EWGSOP1) and the recent (EWGSOP2) consensus in older women. We also aimed to assess the agreement between sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 and tools for screening sarcopenia, such as SARC-F and SARC-CalF.

Methods A cross-sectional study was performed. Total and appendicular skeletal muscle mass were estimated by bioelectrical impedance. The muscle strength was measured by handgrip strength, and the physical performance by the 4.6-m walk speed (WS) test. The screening for sarcopenia was carried out through the questionnaire that measures strength, assistance walking, rise from a chair, climb stairs, and falls (SARC-F); and SARC-F combined with calf circumference (SARC-CalF) questionnaire.

Results The sample consisted of 119 non-institutionalized older women (69.5 ± 6.3 years; BMI = 27.4 ± 4.2 kg/m2). There was a poor agreement (κ = − 0.033) between pre sarcopenia (EWGSOP1) and probable sarcopenia (EWGSOP2). A slight agreement (κ = 0.143) between sarcopenia prevalence according to EWGSOP1 and EWGSOP2 was observed. Regarding the agreements of sarcopenia (EWGSOP2) with SARC-CalF and SARC-F, it was observed that probable sarcopenia had a poor agreement with SARC-CalF (κ = − 0.030) and SARC-F (κ = − 0.026). There was a fair agreement between sarcopenia and SARC-CalF (κ = 0.216) and SARC-F (κ = 0.234).

Conclusion We conclude that EWGSOP2 has a low agreement with EWGSOP1 in older women. In addition, SARC-F and SARC-CalF have a low agreement with sarcopenia diagnosis according to EWGSOP2.