Abstract
Introduction
Remote, online geriatric assessment (GA) is gaining attention in oncology. Most GA
domains can be assessed remotely. However, there is limited evidence identifying reliable
tools that can be used in lieu of objective measures of physical function, such as
grip strength and physical performance during remote, online GA. In this prospective
cohort study, we aimed to assess the performance of the SARC-F, a screening questionnaire
for sarcopenia, in identifying low grip strength and the Short Physical Performance
Battery (SPPB). Additionally, we assessed the satisfaction of clinical staff with
using the SARC-F in the clinic.
Materials and Methods
Data were prospectively collected from older adults with cancer of any type and stage
who underwent GA in the geriatric oncology clinic of a tertiary cancer centre. Following
GA, patients were asked to complete the SARC-F tool. Spearman correlations were performed
between objective measures of physical function, SARC-F domains, and SARC-F total
score. Additionally, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and
negative predictive value were assessed to evaluate the performance of SARC-F to detect
low grip strength and SPPB.
Results
Eighty (n = 80) older adults (mean age: 80 years) with cancer completed the SARC-F. A positive
SARC-F was found in 31.3% of the cohort. Moderate correlations were found between
the SPPB per point and Assistance in walking (r = −0.69), as well as the SPPB per point and total SARC-F score (r = −0.66). SARC-F exhibited moderate sensitivity in identifying low grip strength
using the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) criteria (sensitivity:
64.3%) or the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC) criteria (sensitivity:
40.4%). However, specificity was high (>75%) regardless of the criteria applied. Similarly,
moderate sensitivity (52.2%), but excellent specificity (97.1%) was found for SPPB.
When low grip strength per FNIH was combined with low SPPB, SARC-F demonstrated high
sensitivity (80%) and specificity (75.7%).
Discussion
SARC-F exhibited promising performance in identifying low grip strength per FNIH and
low SPPB combined. To definitively assess the performance of the SARC-F in detecting
low grip strength and SPPB, larger studies are warranted.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 17, 2023
Accepted:
December 23,
2022
Received in revised form:
December 19,
2022
Received:
October 11,
2022
Identification
Copyright
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