Cultural Contexts Meet Clinical Precision: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Sarcopenia Screening Tools in Global Aging Communities

Hien Thi Nguyen; Charuai Suwanbamrung; Apichai Wattanapisit; Warapone Satheannoppakao; Thang Nguyen; Nam Thanh Truong; Giang Hai Ha; Dung Tam Nguyen Huynh; Cua Ngoc Le

doi:10.63332/joph.v5i5.1560

Authors

Hien Thi Nguyen Public Health Research Program, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand, Faculty of Public Health, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cantho, 94000, Vietnam
Charuai Suwanbamrung Public Health Research Program, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
Apichai Wattanapisit School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
Warapone Satheannoppakao Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
Thang Nguyen Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cantho, 94000, Vietnam
Nam Thanh Truong Faculty of Public Health, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cantho, 94000, Vietnam
Giang Hai Ha School of Business and Economics, Duy Tan University, Danang, 50000, Vietnam, Institute of Theory and Applied Research, Duy Tan University, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
Dung Tam Nguyen Huynh Faculty of Basic Science, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cantho, 94000, Vietnam
Cua Ngoc Le Public Health Research Program, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand, Excellent Center for Dengue and Community Public Health (EC for DACH), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63332/joph.v5i5.1560

Keywords:

Sarcopenia, Screening Tools, Diagnostic Performance, Meta-Analysis

Abstract

In an aging world population, prevention is essential because sarcopenia, a loss of muscular mass and function brought on by aging, significantly raises health risks and healthcare expenses. This PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42024512949) evaluates the diagnostic performance of sarcopenia screening tools for community-dwelling older adults. We analyzed 27 studies (21,271 older adults) assessing eight tools. Databases were searched until February 20, 2024. While questionnaire-only tools performed worse (AUC: 0.68), tools that combined various approaches exhibited the highest accuracy (AUC: 0.89), and the performance of anthropometric instruments was good (AUC: 0.84). The Ishii tool showed the best performance (AUC: 0.89 [0.85–0.92]), and SARC-F the lowest (AUC: 0.68 [0.62–0.73]). Subgroup analysis revealed more studies and greater heterogeneity in Asia, likely due to cultural, lifestyle, and diagnostic criteria. Culturally adapted, multi-method strategies are needed to improve early detection and care.