Document
Validation of the Italian Version of the SARC-F Questionnaire to Assess Sarcopenia in Older Adults
Linked Agent
Gasparri, C.;, Author
Ferraris, C.;, Author
Barrile, Gaetan Claude, Author
Cavioni, Alessandro, Author
Mansueto, Francesca, Author
Patelli, Zaira, Author
Peroni, Gabriella, Author
Tartara, Alice, Author
Zese, Marco, Author
Rondanelli ,Mariangela;, Author
Title of Periodical
nutrients
Issue published
2022
Country of Publication
Bahrain
Place Published
Sakhir, Bahrain
Publisher
University of Bahrain
Date Issued
2022
Language
English
Subject (Geographic)
English Abstract
Abstract:
Background: SARC-F is a simple sarcopenia screening tool. This study aimed to examine the validity of the Italian version of SARC-F. Methods: A total of 97 elderly individuals (37/60 males/females, 65 years and older) who met the study’s selection criteria were included.
SARC-F was translated into the Italian language in a culturally responsive manner. The total score was calculated by adding the scores on the five items. The participants were divided into two groups according to the total score (SARC-F < 4 vs. SARC-F 4), and their associations with various factors (handgrip test, chair stand test, and Skeletal Muscle Index assessed by DXA) have been examined
by gender. In addition, the tool’s validity was analyzed by comparing it with different international working group diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia. Results: The total prevalence of sarcopenia according
to the SARC-F was 14.2% and, specifically, 12.8% among men and 14.3% in women. The sensitivity of the SARC-F was (male (M): 11–50% and female (F): 22–36%) medium-low compared
with the European, international, and Asian criteria of sarcopenia; however, SARC-F showed a high specificity (M: 77.3–100% and F: 79.5–100%) and a moderate Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of
(0.669 (CI95%: 0.358–0.830). The participants in the SARC-F 4 group had poorer handgrip for EWGSOP2 (p < 0.001) and chair stand (p < 0.001) than the participants in the SARC-F < 4 group.
Conclusions: The Italian language version of SARC-F showed high specificity, moderate reliability, and good associations with other predictive tests. The Italian version of SARC-F appears to be a
useful screening tool for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in Italian elderly populations.
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