• Miji Kim and Chang Won Won.
• Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, College of Medicine, East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
• J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2020 Jun 1; 21 (6): 752-758.

ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence of sarcopenia in a large group of community-dwelling older adults using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 definition and algorithm.DesignCross-sectional data analysis of a cohort study.SettingThe Nationwide Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS).ParticipantsA total of 2123 ambulatory community-dwelling older adults, aged 70 to 84 years (mean, 75.9 ± 3.9 years; 49.5% women) were enrolled in the KFACS.MethodsAppendicular skeletal muscle mass was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Physical function was assessed by handgrip strength, usual gait speed, the 5-times-sit-to-stand test, the timed up-and-go test, and the Short Physical Performance Battery. In a case-finding assessment, screening for sarcopenia was performed using the calf circumference (CC), SARC-F questionnaire, and SARC-F combined with CC (SARC-CalF).ResultsAccording to the AWGS 2019 algorithm, 43.5%, 7.5%, and 26.0% of the subjects in the whole study sample were classified as those at risk for sarcopenia according to CC, SARC-F, and SARC-CalF, respectively. The prevalence rates of possible sarcopenia using 3 screening tools for case-finding and muscle strength or physical performance tests according to the AWGS 2019 diagnostic algorithm were 20.1% in men and 29.2% in women. The prevalence rates of sarcopenia, when defined as low muscle mass plus low handgrip strength and/or slow gait speed, were significantly higher according to the AWGS 2019 (21.3% in men and 13.8% in women) than the AWGS 2014 (10.3% in men and 8.1% in women) definitions. The prevalence of severe sarcopenia was 6.4% in men and 3.2% in women.Conclusions/ImplicationsThe results of our study suggest that the use of CC and SARC-CalF to screen for possible sarcopenia may be more suited than using the SARC-F questionnaire alone according to the AWGS 2019 diagnostic algorithm in community-dwelling adults aged 70 to 84 years. The prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly higher according to the AWGS 2019 than AWGS 2014 criteria.Copyright © 2020 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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