Sarcopenia, calf circumference, and physical function of elderly women:: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether calf circumference (CC), related to appendicular skeletal muscle mass, can be used as a measure of sarcopenia and is related to physical function. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data from 1992 to 1994 of the European Patient Information and Documentation Systems Study. SETTING: Community setting in France. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand four hundred fifty-eight French women aged 70 and older without previous history of hip fracture were recruited from the electoral lists. MEASUREMENTS: Muscular mass was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). CC was measured using a tape measure. Anthropometric measurements (height; weight; and waist, hip, and calf circumference), strength markers (grip strength), and self-reported physical function were also determined. Sarcopenia was defined (using DEXA) as appendicular skeletal muscle mass (weight (kg)/height (m(2) )) less than two standard deviations below the mean of a young female reference group. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 9.5%. CC was correlated with appendicular skeletal muscle mass (r = 0. 63). CC under 31 cm was the best clinical indicator of sarcopenia (sensitivity = 44.3%, specificity = 91.4%). CC under 31 cm was associated with disability and self-reported physical function but not sarcopenia (defined using DEXA), independent of age, comorbidity, obesity, income, health behavior, and visual impairment. CONCLUSION: CC cannot be used to predict sarcopenia defined using DEXA but provides valuable information on muscle-related disability and physical function.