J Korean Med Sci.  2018 May;33(20):e151. 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e151.

Calf Circumference as a Simple Screening Marker for Diagnosing Sarcopenia in Older Korean Adults: the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS)

• Kim S
• Kim M
• Lee Y
• Kim B
• Yoon TY
• Won CW

• KMID: 2411153
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e151

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to explore the optimal cut-off point of calf circumference (CC) as a simple proxy marker of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and sarcopenia in the Korean elderly and to test the criterion-related validity of CC by analyzing its relationships with the physical function.
METHODS
The participants were 657 adults aged 70 to 84 years who had completed both dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and physical function test in the first baseline year of the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study.
RESULTS
ASM and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were correlated positively with CC (male, ASM, r = 0.55 and SMI, r = 0.54; female, ASM, r = 0.55 and SMI, r = 0.42; all P < 0.001). Testing the validity of CC as a proxy marker for low muscle mass, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81 for males and 0.72 for females were found and their optimal cut-off values of CC were 35 cm for males and 33 cm for females. In addition, CC-based low muscle groups were correlated with physical functions even after adjusting for age and body mass index. Also, the cut-off value of CC for sarcopenia was 32 cm (AUC; male, 0.82 and female, 0.72).
CONCLUSION
The optimal cut-off values of CC for low MM are 35 cm for males and 33 cm for females. Lower CC based on these cut-off values is related with poor physical function. CC may be also a good indicator of sarcopenia in Korean elderly.

Keyword

Anthropometry; Aged; Muscle Mass; Sarcopenia; Korea

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Adult*
Aged
Aging*
Anthropometry
Body Mass Index
Cohort Studies*
Female
Humans
Korea
Male
Mass Screening*
Muscle, Skeletal
Proxy
Sarcopenia*