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Sarcopenia, Calf Circumference, and Physical Function of Elderly Women: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Author(s) -
Rolland Yves,
LauwersCances Valérie,
Cournot Maxime,
Nourhashémi Fati,
Reynish William,
Rivière Daniel,
Vellas Bruno,
Grandjean Hélène
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2003.51362.x
Subject(s) - sarcopenia , medicine , waist , anthropometry , grip strength , sarcopenic obesity , circumference , hand strength , bioelectrical impedance analysis , physical therapy , comorbidity , dual energy x ray absorptiometry , obesity , body mass index , osteoporosis , bone mineral , geometry , mathematics
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether calf circumference (CC), related to appendicular skeletal muscle mass, can be used as a measure of sarcopenia and is related to physical function. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data from 1992 to 1994 of the European Patient Information and Documentation Systems Study. SETTING: Community setting in France. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand four hundred fifty‐eight French women aged 70 and older without previous history of hip fracture were recruited from the electoral lists. MEASUREMENTS: Muscular mass was assessed using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA). CC was measured using a tape measure. Anthropometric measurements (height; weight; and waist, hip, and calf circumference), strength markers (grip strength), and self‐reported physical function were also determined. Sarcopenia was defined (using DEXA) as appendicular skeletal muscle mass (weight (kg)/height (m 2 )) less than two standard deviations below the mean of a young female reference group. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 9.5%. CC was correlated with appendicular skeletal muscle mass ( r = 0 . 63). CC under 31 cm was the best clinical indicator of sarcopenia (sensitivity = 44.3%, specificity = 91.4%). CC under 31 cm was associated with disability and self‐reported physical function but not sarcopenia (defined using DEXA), independent of age, comorbidity, obesity, income, health behavior, and visual impairment. CONCLUSION: CC cannot be used to predict sarcopenia defined using DEXA but provides valuable information on muscle‐related disability and physical function.