Objectives: To examine the positive rate of sarcopenia using the 'Yubi-wakka' (finger-ring) test and associated risk factors among adults aged 65 years and older.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: We used the Yubi-wakka test, which has been developed and validated as a predictor of sarcopenia, frailty, disability and mortality. A positive test result is indicated by a smaller calf circumference than the finger-ring. The test was administered during annual health check-ups among residents of Tama City, Japan.
Participants: During the 2019 fiscal year, 12 894 individuals aged 65 years and older underwent the Yubi-wakka test at primary care clinics.
Interventions: Examinees conducted the test themselves in a seated position. They formed a ring around their calf using both thumbs and index fingers and judged whether their calf was larger, the same or smaller than their finger-ring.
Primary and secondary outcome measures: We compared anthropometric and serological data between the positive (smaller calf) and negative (larger calf) test result groups.
Results: The positive rate was 15.4% among men and 18.5% among women. The prevalence of a positive result was higher in those aged ≥80 years than in younger age groups in both sexes (men: 22.8%; women: 28.8%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was a risk factor for detecting a positive test result in women aged 65-74 years (OR 3.445; 95% CI 1.44 to 8.29) and ≥75 years (OR 3.37; 95% CI 1.97 to 5.78).
Conclusions: Because the Japanese population is healthy and lives long, interventions against sarcopenia are important, especially for older adults aged >75 years. The presence of metabolic syndrome may be a risk factor for sarcopenia (as detected by the Yubi-wakka test) and future frailty, and requires closer attention, especially among women.
Keywords: GERIATRIC MEDICINE; HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT; Musculoskeletal disorders; PRIMARY CARE; PUBLIC HEALTH.
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