Investigation of sarc-F scale adaptation to Turkish and psychometric properties

This study was planned as a methodological study with the aim of analyzing the adaptation of SARC-F scale which is the psychometric properties of sarcopenic screening tool to Turkish. The samples of the research was aggregated in the clinic of Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi, İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Geriatri between March 2018 – May 2018. Samples were 52 individuals who were treated at the age of 65 and over. Individuals were asked questions such as age, gender, chronic illnesses, and surgeries with the individual diagnosis form. In order to interpret the individuals' nutritional status Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is apllied. In addition to that, Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living had been used for evaluating their independency level and daily life activities, at the identification of comorbit disease Charlson Comorbidity Index had been applied. Lastly, Edmonton Frail scale scale was used to assess the incidence of increased vulnerability with age. Individual anthropometric measurements such as upper mid-arm circumference, calf circumference, waist and hip circumference were taken, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), hand grip strength and 6-meter walk test were applied. At the Sarcopeni diagnosis in elderly, European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criterieas were based. At the research were 34 women (65.4%) and 18 men (34.6%) out of 52 individuals. The mean of age were 75.58 ± 8.04. According to EWGOP Diagnosis criteria, 3 individuals were sarcopenic (5.77%) and 49 people were not (94.23%). With respect to SARC-F Scale, 27 people were sarcopenic (51.9%) and 25 were not (48.1%). Considering EWSGOP, the sarcopenic individuals' SARC-F average score is 6.33 ± 3.05. On the other hand, the ones' who were not sarcopenic SARC-F average score is identified as 4.10 ± 2.73. Nevertheless, these values are not significant in case of statistically (p>0.05). Between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic individuals; age, number of operations and number of chronic diseases were significantly different with respect to SARC-F Scale (p<0.05). A positive correlation was found between SARC-F and age, number of chronic diseases, number of operations performed, Edmonton fragility scale and Charlson comorbidity index. Besides, negative correlation between SARC-F with hand grip strength, walking speed, MNA and Barthel index was found. In the study, language validity and content validation methods were used in the validity study of SARC-F. Also, internal consistency, item analysis, test retest reliability methods were used in the reliability study. In order to identify the test-retest reliability Kappa Analysis had been used. The unchange property of scale with respect to time were found high accordig to Kappa Analysis where SARC-F Scale Cronbach Alfa Constant is 0,801 and item total correlation constant is greater than 0.20. (Kappa Value min: 0.844 , max: 0.948). Sensitivity value was 66.7% and specificity value was 49.0%. As a result, although the validity and reliability analyzes of the SARC-F scale were positive, it was determined that the use of SARC-F was inappropriate due to the lack of significant differences between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic individuals determined by the EWGSOP diagnostic criteria and the poor sensitivity and specificity of sarcopenia. It is suggested to evaluate the validity and reliability of the SARC-F scale in larger sample groups. Key words: Sarcopenia, SARC-F Scale, Validity, Reliability