Neck circumference may predict sarcopenia in Japanese older adults requiring long-term care

Abstract

Several studies have established the advantage of using anthropometric measurements as indicators of sarcopenia. Nevertheless, no study has explored the association between sarcopenia and neck circumference. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the data of 90 older adults requiring long-term care to evaluate this association and establish cut-off points for individuals at risk of sarcopenia as defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019. A significant association was found between sarcopenia and neck circumference using binomial logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses. The optimal cut-off value for neck circumference associated with increased risk for sarcopenia among older adults was 32.8 cm for females and 38.0 cm for males. Given the potential of declining neck circumference as an anthropometric marker of sarcopenia, it has clinical applications in screening for sarcopenia in older adults requiring long-term care.

Keywords: Long-term care; Neck circumference; Older adults; Sarcopenia; Screening tools.