Abstract
Introduction
Sarcopenia, a progressive and generalised skeletal muscle disorder involving the accelerated loss of muscle mass and function, is a significant geriatric syndrome associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, including increased falls, frailty, disability, hospitalisations, and mortality. Despite its high prevalence, particularly in older adults, sarcopenia often remains under diagnosed in routine clinical practice, especially in outpatient settings where early detection and intervention are crucial for preventing progression and improving patient quality of life.
Method
1. Screening: Utilising validated, rapid, and easily administrable screening tools such as the SARC-F questionnaire
2. Assessment: For patients identified as at risk, we checked muscle strength - hand grip dynamometry and physical performance (TUGT).
Results
1. Over 3 months we screened 105 patients with a mean age 81.
2. Majority were males (55%) on screening and 50% of males were later confirmed as well to have sarcopenia.
3. 35% (36/105) of the patients were positive in screening from SARC F questionnaire.
4. 56% were then confirmed with hand dynamometer and TUG test (20/36 patients)
Conclusions
A structured Quality Improvement Program for sarcopenia detection in outpatient settings is not only feasible but also critically important. By integrating simple screening tools and comprehensive assessment protocols, healthcare providers can proactively identify individuals at risk, implement targeted interventions, and ultimately improve the health outcomes and quality of life for a growing population of older adults. This QIP represents a crucial step towards standardizing sarcopenia care and realizing the broader benefits of muscle health promotion.