SARC‐F combined with a simple tool for assessment of muscle abnormalities in outpatients with chronic liver disease. Issue 4 (16th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hiraoka, Atsushi; Nagamatsu, Kensuke; Izumoto, Hirofumi; Yoshino, Takeaki; Adachi, Tomoko; Tsuruta, Miho; Aibiki, Toshihiko; Okudaira, Tomonari; Yamago, Hiroka; Suga, Yoshifumi; Iwasaki, Ryuichiro; Mori, Kenichiro; Miyata, Hideki; Tsubouchi, Eiji; Ninomiya, Tomoyuki; Hirooka, Masashi; Abe, Masanori; Matsuura, Bunzo; Hiasa, Yoichi; Michitaka, Kojiro
• Is Part Of: Hepatology research. Volume 50:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 502
• Page End: 511
• Publication Date: 2020-01-16
• Subjects: chronic liver disease -- muscle function -- muscle volume -- quality of life -- SARC‐F -- sarcopenia; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver Diseases -- Periodicals; Foie -- Maladies -- Périodiques; 616.362
• DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13469
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1386-6346

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: An easily performed method for examination of muscle abnormalities is anticipated. We aimed to elucidate the clinical usefulness of simple assessments for muscle abnormality including a simple five‐item questionnaire (SARC‐F) in chronic liver disease patients. Methods: From February to July 2019, 383 outpatients (median age 71 years, 259 men; chronic hepatitis (CH) : liver cirrhosis Child–Pugh A : liver cirrhosis Child–Pugh B : liver cirrhosis Child–Pugh C = 157:176:39:11) who underwent a computed tomography examination were enrolled. SARC‐F, previously reported cut‐off values for muscle strength decline (MSD; handgrip), pre‐muscle volume loss (pre‐MVL), calf circumference and finger‐circle test results were used, and these results were analyzed retrospectively. Results: A high SARC‐F score (≥4) was observed in 25 patients, and a low score (<4) in 358 patients. The frequency of high SARC‐F increased significantly with progression of chronic liver disease (chronic hepatitis : liver cirrhosis Child–Pugh A : liver cirrhosis Child–Pugh B/C = 2.5%:8.0%:14.0%, P=0.010). MSD frequency was 22.4% in men and 41.1% in women. Muscle volume loss and pre‐MVL were noted in 22% and 30.5%, respectively, of the male patients, and 9.7% and 32.3%, respectively, of the female patients. In cases with high SARC‐F and MSD, calf circumference and finger‐circle abnormalities were found in 56% and 40.0% of patients, respectively, whereas those values for patients with low SARC‐F and MSD were 14.5% and 10.6%, respectively ( P < 0.001, for each; positive/negative predictive values: 0.560/0.855 and 0.400/0.894, respectively). Each SARC‐F item showed a good area under the curve for MSD, but not pre‐MVL. Conclusion: SARC‐F score in combination with MSD and calf circumference or finger‐circle test results may be an easy and simple method for surveillance of chronic liver disease patients with a high risk of sarcopenia and decline of quality of life.