Association between SARC-F status and long-term physical function after COVID-19 hospitalisation

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Sarcopenia is associated with adverse outcomes including hospitalisation and all-cause mortality. The SARC-F questionnaire presents a simple cost-effective screening tool for sarcopenia. We investigated (1) the prevalence of sarcopenia using SARC-F criteria, and (2) the association of SARC-F status with long-term physical function in a post-hospitalisation COVID-19 cohort. <bold>Methods:</bold> Individuals hospitalised with COVID-19 across 53 UK sites were recruited to the PHOSP-COVID study with visits at 5- and 12- months post discharge. SARC-F score, physical function, quality of life, and demographic variables were collected. Linear regression analysis of 12-month functional outcomes was performed, with age, sex, and baseline functional performance as confounding variables. <bold>Results:</bold> Among 1996 participants with a valid SARC-F score at 5 months, median (IQR) age was 59 (50 – 67) and 62% were male. Prevalence of sarcopenia using SARC-F (≥4) criteria was 19.8%. Individuals with a score ≥4 exhibited a marginally older age profile, greater BMI, longer hospital stay, higher incidence of comorbidities, lower physical performance, and reduced EQ-5D-5L utility index score. SARC-F ≥4 at 5-months was significantly associated with 12-month HGS (β = -1.7, P = 0.003, R2 = 0.64), SPPB score (β = -0.79, P<0.001, R2 = 0.48), and EQ-5D-5L utility index score (β = -0.13, P<0.001, R2 = 0.54), but not ISWT performance (β = -26.0, P = 0.083, R2 = 0.76). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> 19.8% of participants were considered high risk of sarcopenia according to SARC-F. A score ≥4 was associated with worse long-term muscle function and health-related quality of life following COVID-19 hospitalisation compared to <4.