Validity of the SARC-F scale for prediction of dynapenia in older adults, “Hospital Central de la Fuerza Aérea del Perú”, 2019

Objective: Evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the SARC-F scale for the prediction of dynapenia in older adults of the Hospital Central de la Fuerza Aérea Del Perú, 2019. Material and method: Retrospective validation study. The population consisted of 218 elderly patients treated in the Geriatrics Department of the Hospital Central de la Fuerza Aérea del Perú. Sensitivity, specificity and area values under the curve of the SARC-F scale (≥4 points) were calculated taking into account 7 different definitions of dynapenia. Results: 53,7 % of older adults had a risk of sarcopenia (SARC-F score ≥4). Of the different definitions of dynapenia, the following stand out: with grip strength <30 kg in men and <20 kg in women, dynapenia was found in 80,3 % of older adults; with <26 kg in men and <18 kg in women, dynapenia was found in 65,6 %; and with <18 kg in men and <16 kg in women, dynapenia was found in 46,3 %. The first definition allowed to find values of sensitivity, specificity and area of 62,86 %, 83,72 % and 0,733, respectively; the second, values of 70,63 %, 78,67 % and 0,746, respectively; and the third, values of 73,27 %, 63,25 % and 0,683, respectively. Conclusions: The SARC-F scale makes it possible to better predict dynapenia using as a definition the pressure force <26 kg in men and <18 kg in women, this presents high values of sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve.