The diagnostic accuracy of blood biomarkers for sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and osteosarcopenia: a meta-analysis.
Arch Gerontol GeriatrApr 30, 2026 (epub)
Abigail N Burton, Safoora Gharibzadeh, Mark P Funnell et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of blood biomarkers for sarcopenia and related conditions across various populations. The serum creatinine-cystatin C ratio showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.69 and specificity of 0.74, while myostatin and irisin had sensitivities of 0.76 and 0.74, respectively. The analysis included 20 studies with sufficient data for meta-analysis.
Key findings
- Serum creatinine-cystatin C ratio had a pooled sensitivity of 0.69 and specificity of 0.74.
- Myostatin demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 0.76 and specificity of 0.71.
- Irisin showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.74 and specificity of 0.72.
- The diagnostic accuracy of other blood biomarkers varied significantly.
Why it matters
Understanding the diagnostic accuracy of blood biomarkers for sarcopenia can enhance screening processes, potentially leading to earlier interventions and better management of this age-related condition, which significantly impacts health outcomes in older adults.