- Design
- Prospective single-centre cohort, 1-year follow-up
- Population
- 430 adults aged 70+ with hip fracture at one university hospital
- Primary outcome
- Early mobilisation, walking ability and Barthel Index
- Effect
- SARC-F day-3 impaired mobilisation OR 7.56 (95% CI 3.61 to 15.81); Barthel change −17.5 vs −11.2 at 4 months
A prospective cohort at one university hospital followed 430 adults aged 70 and over for a year after hip fracture. It compared handgrip strength, calf circumference and the five-question SARC-F sarcopenia screen as predictors of recovery. Published in JAMDA on 4 September 2026.
After adjustment for age, sex, ASA grade, cognition and nutrition, only SARC-F was consistently associated with poor early mobilisation, with odds ratios of 1.99 on day 1, 4.90 on day 2 and 7.56 (95% CI 3.61 to 15.81) on day 3. SARC-F-defined sarcopenia was also linked to worse walking ability to four months and greater decline in Barthel Index at four months (−17.5 vs −11.2 points). Neither group recovered further function between four and twelve months. Grip strength and calf circumference were not consistently associated with outcomes.
SARC-F takes a minute, needs no equipment and can be asked of the patient or a relative on admission. This single-centre cohort suggests it identifies patients who need more intensive rehabilitation and earlier discharge planning. It is a prognostic tool, not a treatment, and it does not show that acting on the score improves recovery.
- Ask the five SARC-F questions on admission with hip fracture, using a relative if needed
- Flag high scorers for early, intensive physiotherapy and nutritional review
- Start discharge and rehabilitation planning early for high scorers
- Expect most functional recovery by four months, with little gain after
Why it matters
A one-minute questionnaire predicted recovery better than measurements that need equipment and staff time.
Don't overread it
A single-centre prognostic study; it does not show that targeting high scorers improves outcomes.
The statistics, in plain English
An odds ratio of 7.56 on day 3 means the odds of poor mobilisation were over seven times higher in SARC-F-positive patients. The wide interval (3.6 to 15.8) reflects modest numbers but still sits well above 1.
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