Diagnostic accuracy test of Ishii score chart screening tool for sarcopenia.

Abstract

Background: The accessibility of elderly populations for sarcopenia screening is limited due to the complexity and expensive screening equipment and processes. An effective screening tool is important in uncovering sarcopenia and related factors for the elderly population in primary care settings. According to the literature, the Ishii score chart is the most accurate and simple sarcopenia screening tool. However, the accuracy of this screening tool has not been evaluated in Thai elders. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Ishii score chart screening tool in the Thai community-dwelling elder. Design: Diagnostic study. Method: In this prospective study, a consecutive series of elderly people were recruited from the Mueang-Ya 4 Hua Thale primary care units, Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. Eligible for inclusion were Thai adults aged 60 years or older. All consenting participants underwent Ishii score chart screening tools. All participants used AWGS diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia as the reference standard. The accuracy of Ishii score chart was measured using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value Result: Of 377 participants included in the analysis, the diagnosis of sarcopenia was confirmed in 9 participants. The sensitivity and specificity of Ishii’s score chart screening tools were 88.9% (95% CI 51.8% to 91.7%) and 70.7% (95% CI 65.7% to 75.3%). The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 6.9% (95% CI 3.0% to 13.1%) and 99.6% (95% CI 97.9% to 100%), respectively. Conclusion: Ishii score chart screening tool has a good screening performance in the participants. However, the implication of this screening tool for the Thai population is still inconclusive due to low prevalence of sarcopenia in the study. Further research is needed to prove the performance of this screening tool.