Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Jul;68(7):1445-1453.
doi: 10.1111/jgs.16525. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Application of Cut-Points for Low Muscle Strength and Lean Mass in Mobility-Limited Older Adults

Gregory J Grosicki  1   2 , Thomas G Travison  3   4 , Hao Zhu  4 , Jay Magaziner  5 , Ellen F Binder  6 , Marco Pahor  7 , Rosaly Correa-de-Araujo  8 , Peggy M Cawthon  9   10 , Shalender Bhasin  11 , Denise Orwig  5 , Susan Greenspan  12 , Todd Manini  7 , Joe Massaro  13 , Adam Santanasto  14 , Sheena Patel  10 , Roger A Fielding  1
Affiliations

Application of Cut-Points for Low Muscle Strength and Lean Mass in Mobility-Limited Older Adults

Gregory J Grosicki et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Background: The Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC) is a collaborative initiative seeking to develop and evaluate cut-points for low muscle strength and lean mass that predict an increased risk for slowness (usual walking speed <.8 m/s) among older adults.

Objectives: The goal of the present study was to provide clinicians and researchers with an understanding of the diagnostic implications of using SDOC variables and cut-points in mobility-limited older adults. Using data from older individuals with specific conditions that render them at increased risk for mobility limitation, we evaluated the performance characteristics (ie, sensitivity and specificity) of five putative sarcopenia parameters and then compared these values with previously recommended diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia.

Design: Retrospective analysis of six randomized controlled trials enriched in persons at risk for mobility limitation.

Setting: National and international geriatric clinical research centers.

Participants: A total of 925 mobility-limited older adults (≥55 years of age; 58% women) were included in the analysis.

Measurements: The prevalence of low muscle strength and lean mass were assessed using five candidate metrics discriminative of slowness. Analyses of sensitivity and specificity were used to compare muscle weakness criteria with published diagnostics for sarcopenia.

Results: Odds ratios (ORs) supported maximal grip strength (Grip max <35.5 and 20.0 in men and women, respectively) as the most discriminative of slowness in both men and women (OR = 3.66 and 3.53, respectively). More men (58%) than women (30%) fell below sex-specific maximal grip cut-points. When applying previously recommended sarcopenia component definitions in our population, we found that fewer individuals met those criteria (range = 6%-32%).

Conclusion: A greater number of individuals fall below SDOC Grip max cut-points compared with previous recommendations. Clinicians and researchers working with older adults may consider these thresholds as an inclusive means to identify candidates for low-risk lifestyle promyogenic and function-promoting therapies. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1445-1453, 2020.

Keywords: aging; muscle; physical function; sarcopenia.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Estimated odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of sarcopenia candidate metrics with low walking speed (< 0.8 m/s) in men (blue lines) and women (red lines). *P<0.05; **P<0.01; ***P<0.001. BMI = body mass index; TBF = total body fat.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Janssen I, Heymsfield SB, Ross R. Low relative skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) in older persons is associated with functional impairment and physical disability. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2002;50: 889–896. - PubMed
    1. Aging in Place in America: Seniors fear loss of independence, nursing homes more than death. Volume 2017 Clarity and The EAR Foundation: http://www.marketingcharts.com/demographics-and-audiences/boomers-and-ol..., 2007.
    1. Knickman JR, Snell EK. The 2030 problem: caring for aging baby boomers. Health Serv Res. 2002;37: 849–884. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Studenski S, Perera S, Patel K, et al. Gait speed and survival in older adults. JAMA. 2011;305: 50. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Perera S, Patel KV, Rosano C, et al. Gait speed predicts incident disability: A pooled analysis. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016;71: 63–71. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types