Screening Prevalence of Sarcopenia Risk Among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the SARC-F Questionnaire in Rural India

Abstract

Background Sarcopenia, characterized by progressive age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, significantly impacts functional independence and mortality among older adults. Early screening using validated tools such as the SARC-F questionnaire is essential for identifying individuals with functional limitations consistent with sarcopenia risk in community settings. Objective  To determine the screening prevalence of sarcopenia risk among community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years using the SARC-F questionnaire. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 273 older adults (≥60 years) in Brahmni village, Maharashtra, India. Sarcopenia risk was screened using SARC-F, which evaluates five functional domains: strength, walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls. Participants scoring ≥4 were classified as "At Risk of Sarcopenia." Statistical analysis used IBM SPSS (version 29.0) with significance set at α = 0.05. Results Mean age was 74.53 ± 8.92 years; 166 males (60.81%) and 107 females (39.19%). Mean SARC-F score was 4.67 ± 1.50. Based on SARC-F ≥4, 149 participants (54.58%, 95% CI: 48.5%-60.5%) screened positive for sarcopenia risk. Most frequently reported difficulties were climbing stairs (89.74%), rising from a chair (86.81%), and walking (82.42%). No significant gender difference was observed (p = 0.636). Conclusion A substantial proportion (54.58%) of older adults screened positive for sarcopenia risk, indicating high screening prevalence of functional limitations. SARC-F proved feasible for community-based screening. Timely interventions including resistance training and nutritional optimization may prevent functional decline. Further research with objective measurements is needed to confirm sarcopenia diagnosis.