The optimal cut-off values of screening tools for dynapenia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose

This study evaluated whether anthropometric measurements and the five times sit-to-stand test could be used to identify dynapenia. The cut-off values of accurate screening tools for identifying dynapenia were also established.

Materials and methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted on individuals ≥ 60 years old (N = 529). All participants underwent handgrip strength measurement, anthropometric measurements and the five times sit-to-stand test. The participants whose handgrip strength was < 28 kg for men and < 18 kg for women were considered to have dynapenia. The association between the recorded variables and dynapenia was determined using logistic regression, and cut-off values were established by performing the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis.

Results

The prevalence of dynapenia was 35.42% in men and 25.61% in women. For males, both calf circumference (≤ 35.2 cm) and the five times sit-to-stand test (≥ 14.6 s) could be used as accurate tools for dynapenia. For females, only the five times sit-to-stand test (≥ 11.8 s) had sufficient accuracy to be used as a screening tool for dynapenia.

Conclusions

The five times sit-to-stand test was an accurate screening tool for identifying dynapenia. The calf circumference could be only used as a screening tool in males.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Calf circumference and the five times a sit-to-stand test can be used as accurate screening tools in males with dynapenia.

• Only the five times sit-to-stand test had sufficient accuracy in females with dynapenia.

• The optimal cut-off values established for older males and females are only applicable to the Asian population.

Keywords:

• Dynapenia
• cut-off values
• anthropometric measurements
• the five times sit-to-stand test
• receiver operating characteristic curve analysis

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the participants of our study. We are also grateful to the staff of The Central Hospital of Wuhan and Wuhan Polytechnic University for their comprehension and assistance during data collection.

Ethical approval

This study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All methods were carried out with STROBE guideline. The Human Ethics Review Board of the College of Medicine and Health Science reviewed and approved the procedures before the study commencement (Approval number: BME-2020-1-03). All informed consents had been obtained from the eligible participants before initiating data collection.

Authors contributions

XW drafted the manuscript. XW, ML and LC contributed to data collection and analysis. NW conceptualized and designed the study, and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The financial support for this study was from the Hubei Provincial Department of Education (Project # 21Q144).