The association between SARC-F status and quality of life in High Risk Foot Clinic patients

Background

High Risk Foot Clinic (HRFC) patients have foot ulceration commonly associated with poorer quality of life (QoL). A positive SARC-F test is predictive of sarcopenia. The objective of this study is to investigate whether SARC-F positive status is associated with lower QoL among attendees of HRFC, which is currently unknown.

Methods and results

In this cross-sectional study ambulatory HRFC patients were recruited at metropolitan tertiary referral hospital over one year. Demographics, comorbidities, SARC-F and EQ-5D-3L (EuroQol Group) outcomes were collected. Association between SARC-F status and EQ-5D visual analogue scale measurement, as well as individual EQ-5D-3L dimensions were investigated using, respectively, linear robust and ordinal logistic regression modelling. The clinic was attended by 122 new patients, 85 of whom (69%) completed the questionnaires with no selection bias identified. 43/85 (51%) patients were SARC-F positive as indicated by a score of 4 or greater. No significant differences between SARC-F positive and negative patients were identified in age or diabetes status. SARC-F positive patients had consistently lower EQ-5D-3L visual analogue scale measurement [mean 5.3 (SD 2.0); median 5 (IQR: 4, 6.5)] compared to SARC-F negative patients [6.6 (SD 1.9); 7 (5.5, 7.5)], adjusted mean difference -1.2 (95%CI: -2.1, -0.4; p=0.007). SARC-F positive patients demonstrated consistent and statistically significantly worse EQ-5D-3L scores on mobility, personal care and usual activities, but not on anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort components.

Conclusions

Approximately half of HRFC patients are SARC-F positive and exhibit significantly lower QoL as measured by EQ-5D-3L compared to SARC-F negative patients.