Development and validation of the sarcopenia composite index: A comprehensive approach for assessing sarcopenia in the ageing population

Introduction: The diagnosis of sarcopenia relies on key indicators such as handgrip strength, walking speed and muscle mass. Developing a composite index that integrates these measures could enhance clinical evaluation in older adults. This study aimed to standardise and combine these metrics to es...

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Main Authors: Hsiu-Wen Kuo, Chih-Dao Chen, Amy Ming-Fang Yen, Chenyi Chen, Yang-Teng Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academy of Medicine Singapore 2025-02-01
Series:Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore
Online Access:https://annals.edu.sg/development-and-validation-of-the-sarcopenia-composite-index-a-comprehensive-approach-for-assessing-sarcopenia-in-the-ageing-population/
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author Hsiu-Wen Kuo
Chih-Dao Chen
Amy Ming-Fang Yen
Chenyi Chen
Yang-Teng Fan
author_facet Hsiu-Wen Kuo
Chih-Dao Chen
Amy Ming-Fang Yen
Chenyi Chen
Yang-Teng Fan
author_sort Hsiu-Wen Kuo
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The diagnosis of sarcopenia relies on key indicators such as handgrip strength, walking speed and muscle mass. Developing a composite index that integrates these measures could enhance clinical evaluation in older adults. This study aimed to standardise and combine these metrics to establish a z score for the sarcopenia composite index (ZoSCI) tailored for the ageing population. Additionally, we explore the risk factors associated with ZoSCI to provide insights into early prevention and intervention strategies. Method: This retrospective study analysed data between January 2017 and December 2021 from an elderly health programme in Taiwan, applying the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria to assess sarcopenia. ZoSCI was developed by standardising handgrip strength, walking speed and muscle mass into z scores and integrating them into a composite index. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine optimal cut-off values, and multiple regression analysis identified factors influencing ZoSCI. Results: Among the 5047 participants, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 3.7%, lower than the reported global prevalence of 3.9–15.4%. ROC curve analysis established optimal cut-off points for distinguishing sarcopenia in ZoSCI: -1.85 (sensitivity 0.91, specificity 0.88) for males and -1.97 (sensitivity 0.93, specificity 0.88) for females. Factors associated with lower ZoSCI included advanced age, lower education levels, reduced exercise frequency, lower body mass index and creatinine levels. Conclusion: This study introduces ZoSCI, a new composite quantitative indicator for identifying sarcopenia in older adults. The findings highlight specific risk factors that can inform early intervention. Future studies should validate ZoSCI globally, with international collaborations to ensure broader applicability.
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spelling doaj-art-093c029f70ef46d2bb28b0b9e6f4d0b22025-08-20T02:17:57ZengAcademy of Medicine SingaporeAnnals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore2972-40662025-02-0154210111210.47102//annals-acadmedsg.2024272Development and validation of the sarcopenia composite index: A comprehensive approach for assessing sarcopenia in the ageing populationHsiu-Wen KuoChih-Dao ChenAmy Ming-Fang YenChenyi ChenYang-Teng Fan Introduction: The diagnosis of sarcopenia relies on key indicators such as handgrip strength, walking speed and muscle mass. Developing a composite index that integrates these measures could enhance clinical evaluation in older adults. This study aimed to standardise and combine these metrics to establish a z score for the sarcopenia composite index (ZoSCI) tailored for the ageing population. Additionally, we explore the risk factors associated with ZoSCI to provide insights into early prevention and intervention strategies. Method: This retrospective study analysed data between January 2017 and December 2021 from an elderly health programme in Taiwan, applying the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria to assess sarcopenia. ZoSCI was developed by standardising handgrip strength, walking speed and muscle mass into z scores and integrating them into a composite index. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine optimal cut-off values, and multiple regression analysis identified factors influencing ZoSCI. Results: Among the 5047 participants, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 3.7%, lower than the reported global prevalence of 3.9–15.4%. ROC curve analysis established optimal cut-off points for distinguishing sarcopenia in ZoSCI: -1.85 (sensitivity 0.91, specificity 0.88) for males and -1.97 (sensitivity 0.93, specificity 0.88) for females. Factors associated with lower ZoSCI included advanced age, lower education levels, reduced exercise frequency, lower body mass index and creatinine levels. Conclusion: This study introduces ZoSCI, a new composite quantitative indicator for identifying sarcopenia in older adults. The findings highlight specific risk factors that can inform early intervention. Future studies should validate ZoSCI globally, with international collaborations to ensure broader applicability.https://annals.edu.sg/development-and-validation-of-the-sarcopenia-composite-index-a-comprehensive-approach-for-assessing-sarcopenia-in-the-ageing-population/
spellingShingle Hsiu-Wen Kuo
Chih-Dao Chen
Amy Ming-Fang Yen
Chenyi Chen
Yang-Teng Fan
Development and validation of the sarcopenia composite index: A comprehensive approach for assessing sarcopenia in the ageing population
Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore
title Development and validation of the sarcopenia composite index: A comprehensive approach for assessing sarcopenia in the ageing population
title_full Development and validation of the sarcopenia composite index: A comprehensive approach for assessing sarcopenia in the ageing population
title_fullStr Development and validation of the sarcopenia composite index: A comprehensive approach for assessing sarcopenia in the ageing population
title_full_unstemmed Development and validation of the sarcopenia composite index: A comprehensive approach for assessing sarcopenia in the ageing population
title_short Development and validation of the sarcopenia composite index: A comprehensive approach for assessing sarcopenia in the ageing population
title_sort development and validation of the sarcopenia composite index a comprehensive approach for assessing sarcopenia in the ageing population
url https://annals.edu.sg/development-and-validation-of-the-sarcopenia-composite-index-a-comprehensive-approach-for-assessing-sarcopenia-in-the-ageing-population/
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