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

Background: 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.

Objective: 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.

Measurements: 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).

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.