Arabic Adaptation and Validation of the SARC-F Questionnaire for Sarcopenia Screening in Elderly Populations: Exploration of Associated Factors

TL;DR

This paper adapts and validates the SARC-F questionnaire in Arabic for identifying sarcopenia in older adults, finding it reliable and associated with fatigue and quality of life.

Contribution

The study provides a validated Arabic version of the SARC-F questionnaire for sarcopenia screening in elderly populations.

Findings

The Arabic SARC-F showed high reliability with an ICC of 0.926 and Cronbach's alpha of 0.81.

It demonstrated 36.4% sensitivity and 78.7% specificity for sarcopenia detection.

The questionnaire was associated with fatigue and quality of life but not cognitive impairment.

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia is a geriatric condition marked by decreased muscle mass and function as people age. The SARC-F questionnaire is a simple and useful instrument for sarcopenia screening but it is not available in the Arabic language. This study aimed to translate the SARC-F into the Arabic language, validate it among Arabic-speaking older adults, and explore the association between SARC-F and fatigue, QOL, and cognitive impairment.

Methods: SARC-F was translated into Arabic according to WHO guidelines, and older adults aged 60 years and older were recruited. Test–retest reliability of SARC-F was examined over a 2-week period. SARC-F was validated based on the revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were assessed against bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The association between the Arabic SARC-F and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment was investigated too.

Results: Eighty-six older adults participated in this study (59.3% females). The Arabic SARC-F showed an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.926 (95% CI = 0.88–0.95) and Cronbach's alpha of 0.81. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 36.4%, 78.7%, 20%, and 89.3%, respectively. The Arabic version of SARC-F showed good reliability and validity.

Conclusion: The Arabic SARC-F is a valid and reliable tool for sarcopenia screening, showing a good ability to identify individuals with sarcopenia and predict the absence of the condition. The Arabic SARC-F was associated with fatigue and QOL but not with cognitive impairment. These results support the use of the Arabic SARC-F as a useful questionnaire for sarcopenia screening in Arabic-speaking populations.