Evaluating SARC-F, SARC-CalF, and Calf Circumference as Diagnostic Tools for Sarcopenia in Thai Older Adults: Results From a Nationwide Study

The SARC-F scale consists of five components: strength, walking assistance, rising from a chair, stair climbing, and falls. These elements were selected to reflect changes in health status related to the effects of sarcopenia. Scores on the SARC-F scale range from 0 to 10, composed of five domains, assesses strength, walking assistance, raising from a chair, stair climbing and falls. Each domain score ranges from 0-2. A SARC-F score of ≥4 was considered abnormal. The Thai-version SARC-F questionnaire has been validated in Thai older adults.

Calf circumference was measured using a nonelastic tape measure while the participant was standing with relaxed legs. The tape was placed snugly and flat around the widest part of the calf, parallel to the floor. According to the AWGS 2019 criteria, calf circumferences were considered abnormal if they were less than 34 cm for males and less than 33 cm for females.

This questionnaire integrates the SARC-F and calf circumference as a trigger for case finding. If the calf circumference is below the cut-off value, 10 points are added to the SARC-F score for evaluation. The SARC-CalF score ranges from 0 to 20, with a score of ≥11 considered abnormal for sarcopenia screening.