SARC-F predicts poor motor function, quality of life, and prognosis in older patients with cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated whether SARC-F scores were associated with motor function, quality of life (QOL) related to physical function, and prognosis in older patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cognitive impairment. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study. The study population consisted of 408 patients with CVD (≥60 years old) who completed the SARC-F questionnaire and Mini-Cog, a cognitive function test, at discharge. Sarcopenia was defined as a total SARC-F score ≥ 4 points. Patients who were cognitively-preserved (Mini-Cog score ≥ 3 points) were excluded. Patients completed the handgrip strength, leg strength, usual gait speed, 6-minute walking distance, short physical performance battery score, and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey Physical Functioning (SF-36PF) tests before discharge. Associations of SARC-F with physical function, QOL, and prognoses (i.e., composite of all-cause death and emergency CVD rehospitalization and the number of CVD rehospitalizations) were investigated. Results: Sarcopenia (SARC-F score ≥ 4 points) was associated with poorer motor function test outcomes and SF-36PF scores (all P < 0.001). The correlations remained significant after adjusting for comorbidities (e.g., anemia, prior heart failure, and renal dysfunction). Sarcopenia was also associated with a poorer prognosis (hazard ratio: 1.574; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.011–2.445) and an increased risk of CVD rehospitalization (incidence rate ratio: 1.911; 95 % CI, 1.312–2.782) after adjusting for comorbidities. Conclusions and implications: In older patients with CVD and cognitive impairment, the SARC-F questionnaire may be a simple and inexpensive tool for identifying patients with decreased motor function and a poor prognosis.

Keywords

• Sarcopenia
• SARC-F
• Physical function
• Quality of life
• Mortality
• Cognitive impairment