Abstract
ObjectiveOur objective was to understand the prevalence of sarcopenia in schizophrenic patients and to evaluate if calf circumference (CC), mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) and Ishii tests can be used to accurately screen for sarcopenia in schizophrenic patients.MethodWe enrolled schizophrenic patients aged 50 or older, who were regularly taking antipsychotic medications, at two mental health centres. Bioimpedance-based muscle-mass was analysed with an InBody 770 instrument, while muscle strength was measured with a digital grip-strength dynamometer. The physical performance of the patients was gauged from their gait speed over 6 m. Standard AWGS2019 diagnostic criteria were used, and the accuracies of the three screening methods were indicated by the sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic curve, positive predictive values and negative predictive values.ResultsA total of 339 stable schizophrenic patients were enrolled. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 53.1%, and the prevalence was, respectively, 55.6% and 47.66% for males and females. The prevalence of sarcopenia obesity in the total population was 16.22%, and that of males and females was 18.97% and 10.28%, respectively.The CC, MUAC and Ishii test sensitivity/specificity in screening for sarcopenia were 78.3%/67%, 76.74%/68.93%, 89.92%/67%, respectively, in males and 92.16 %/69.64%, 74.51%/78.57%, 96.08%/55.36%, respectively, in females. In males, the AUCs of the CC, MUAC and Ishii test were 0.8 (95%CI, 0.744-0.856), 0.78 (95%CI, 0.721-0.84) and 0.88 (95%CI, 0.837-0.922), respectively, and in females, they were 0.893 (95%CI, 0.833-0.953), 0.843 (95%CI, 0.772-0.915) and 0.855 (95%CI, 0.784-0.926), respectively.ConclusionThe incidence of sarcopenia in schizophrenia patients is high. Clinical doctors should screen for sarcopenia in patients with schizophrenia and provide timely interventions to reduce the occurrence of adverse events. The CC, MUAC and Ishii tests are simple and easy-to-use screening tools for sarcopenia in both males and females with schizophrenia.
Can mid-upper arm circumference and calf circumference be the proxy measures to detect undernutrition among elderly? Findings of a community-based survey in rural Puducherry, India
