Comparison of revised EWGSOP criteria and four other diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia in Chinese community-dwelling elderly residents

Abstract Objectives To compare the prevalence and associated factors of sarcopenia defined by the revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) criteria with the initial European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP1) criteria, the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), the International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS), and the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Sarcopenia Project criteria among Chinese community-dwelling older adults. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting Two community health centers in Urumqi, China. Participants A total of 483 participants aged 60 years and older from the community. Measurement Anthropometry, skeletal muscle mass, handgrip strength, 4-m walking speed, and biochemical markers. Questionnaire collected information included demographics, lifestyle, and quality of life. Results The prevalence of EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia (men: 6.5%; women: 3.3%) was lower than that defined by the EWGSOP1 (men: 22.3%; women 11.7%), AWGS (men: 10.9%; women: 8.0%), and IWGS (men: 24.5%; women: 11.0%) criteria, but higher than FNIH criteria (men: 6.0%; women: 1.7%). The positive percent agreement was lower (men: 15.6%–63.6%; women: 15.2%–40.0%), while negative percent agreement was higher (men: 96.4%–100.0%; women: 97.3%–99.6%). Sex (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12–0.81), education level (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29–0.83), and body mass index (BMI, OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.62–0.86) were associated with sarcopenia defined by the EWGSOP2 criteria. No consistent pattern of risk factors associated with sarcopenia in EWGSOP2 and four other diagnostic criteria was present. Conclusions and implications The EWGSOP2 criteria did not agree with the EWGSOP1, AWGS, IWGA, and FNIH criteria defining sarcopenia. Risk factors associated with the EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia have no consistent patterns with the EWGSOP1, AWGS, IWGA, and FNIH criteria. Therefore, the validity of the EWGSOP2 consensus needs to be confirmed in further prospective studies.