Sarcopenia, calf circumference, and physical function of elderly women: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of data from 1992 to 1994 of the European Patient Information and Documentation Systems Study.


METHODS
Community setting in France.


METHODS
One thousand four hundred fifty-eight French women aged 70 and older without previous history of hip fracture were recruited from the electoral lists.


METHODS
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 (m2)) 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.


CONCLUSIONS
CC cannot be used to predict sarcopenia defined using DEXA but provides valuable information on muscle-related disability and physical function.
Rolland
Yves
Y
Internal Medicine Service and Gerontology Clinic, Hôpital La Grave-Casselardit, Toulouse, France. yves.rolland@9online.fr
Lauwers-Cances
Valérie
V
Cournot
Maxime
M
Nourhashémi
Fati
F
Reynish
William
W
Rivière
Daniel
D
Vellas
Bruno
B
Grandjean
Hélène
H
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D016014:Linear Models; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies