Determination of normative reference for the definition of sarcopenia among Filipinos

BACKGROUND: At present, there is no normative value that can be used in the definition of sarcopenia in the Philippines. OBJECTIVE: We identified the reference cut-off values for: 1) muscle mass using bioimpedance analysis; 2) grip strength; 3) usual gait speed; 4) timed get-up-and-go; and 5) short physical performance battery in the Philippines in order to adapt the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria for the definition of sarcopenia. METHODS: Two hundred seventy six (135 males and 141 females) healthy Filipino adults, between 20 and 40 years, were included in this cross sectional study. A Fresenius Body Composition Monitor was used to measure lean tissue mass (LTM) and lean tissue index (LTI). A dynamometer was used to measure grip strength. Usual gait speed, timed get-up-and-go, and short physical performance battery were also determined. RESULT: The normative references for males and females, respectively, for LTI were 17.10 + 2.337 kg/m(2) and 12.63 + 2.119 kg/m(2); for usual gait speed were 1.06 + 0.251 m/sec and 0.930 + 0.144 m/sec; and for grip strength were 39.76 + 7.567 kg and 26.68 + 5.243 kg. The sarcopenia cut-points for the males and females, respectively, for LTI were <12.50 kg/m(2) and <8.33 kg/m(2); for usual gait speed were <0.55 m/sec and <0.65 m/sec; and for grip strength were <24.54 kg and <16.10 kg. CONCLUSION: This study presents cut-points for the determination of sarcopenia at-risk population among Filipinos.