Comparison of SARC-F and Ishii score in screening for sarcopenia in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: which screening tool should we use?

Sarcopenia is common in older adults, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), highly prevalent in older adults, is a risk factor for sarcopenia. Early detection of sarcopenia is vital for the implementation of preventive and therapeutic measures.

We aimed to compare the SARC-F questionnaire and Ishii score screening methods for sarcopenia in patients with type 2 DM.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 462 older adults with diabetes aged ≥ 60. Muscle mass and strength were assessed using the BIA device and handgrip dynamometer. Sarcopenia was defined in line with the European Sarcopenia Working Group 2 (EWGSOP2). The SARC-F questionnaire and Ishii score in screening for sarcopenia were compared.

The median age was 72 (67–76) for males and 68 (65–74) for females. The prevalence of sarcopenia based on the Ishii score, SARC-F, and EWGSOP2 was 28.4%, 40.9%, and 61.9%, respectively. The sensitivities of Ishii score and SARC-F in screening for sarcopenia were 84% and 47%, respectively. The Ishii score and SARCF specificities were 67% and 69%, respectively. PPV and NPV for the Ishii score were 79% and 45%, respectively. The PPV and NPV for the SARC-F were 71% and 55%, respectively. The AUC values of the Ishii score and SARC-F were 0.790 and 0.598, respectively.

The Ishii score can be used in daily practice to screen for sarcopenia in older adults with type 2 DM.