PP280 - IS THE SARC-F QUESTIONNAIRE INSUFFICIENT TO DETECT PROBABLE SARCOPENIA IN ROBUST GERIATRIC OUTPATIENTS? AN OBSERVATIONAL, CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

PP280

IS THE SARC-F QUESTIONNAIRE INSUFFICIENT TO DETECT PROBABLE SARCOPENIA IN ROBUST GERIATRIC OUTPATIENTS? AN OBSERVATIONAL, CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

K. İşsever^1,*, F. Türkoğlu Genç²

¹Giresun University Medical Faculty, Giresun, ²Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Türkiye

Rationale: Although the SARC-F questionnaire is widely recommended as a first-line screening tool for sarcopenia, there is limited data regarding its sensitivity among highly functional, "robust" geriatric outpatients. This study aims to evaluate the relationships among muscle strength (measured via hand dynamometry), SARC-F scores, and key nutritional markers to better identify probable sarcopenia in this independent outpatient population.

Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study included 192 geriatric outpatients (99 females, 93 males) demonstrating high physical performance (Barthel Index >90). Patients with acute inflammatory pathologies were excluded from the study. Probable sarcopenia was identified using a hand dynamometer based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) cut-off values (<26 kg for men, <16 kg for women). Participants were dichotomized into probable sarcopenia and normal grip strength groups. Demographic characteristics, SARC-F questionnaire scores, body composition analyses, and laboratory parameters were subsequently compared between the two groups.

Results: Among 192 patients, 52 (27.1%) had low grip strength. This group was older (72.8 vs 71.2 years, p=0.028) with lower Barthel scores (94.4 vs 96.5, p=0.048). Strikingly, their mean SARC-F score was 2.90, failing to reach the high-risk threshold (≥4). Despite having similar BMI and calf circumferences, this cohort had significantly lower muscle mass (24.9 vs 27.0kg, p=0.011), fat-free mass (45.8 vs 49.2kg, p=0.017), and serum albumin levels (44.2 vs 46.0 g/L, p=0.002).

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Conclusion: BMI, calf circumference, and SARC-F might fail to detect hidden malnutrition and sarcopenia in robust outpatients. Albumin, muscle mass, and fat-free mass offer more reliable screening. Utilizing these markers improves nutritional management.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared