Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation · Sep 30, 2025
Comparison of the performance of different anthropometric indicators, malnutrition, and sarcopenia for poststroke frailty in ischemic stroke
By Tang AJ, Yang HY, Wu Q et al.
ObjectiveThis study explored the correlation between different nutritional indicators and poststroke frailty (PSF), and compared the receiver operating characteristic curve of different nutritional indexes for PSF.MethodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled 266 adults with acute ischemic stroke. Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL scale. Nutritional status was assessed using Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002); sarcopenia risk was evaluated by SARC-F. Anthropometric measures included Body Mass Index (BMI), Handgrip Strength (HGS), Triceps Skinfold Thickness (TST), Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), Calf Circumference (CC), Weight-Adjusted Waist Index (WWI), and 4-Meter Walk Test (4-MWT). Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors related to PSF, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was also used to compare the performance of these variables.ResultsThe frailty group (n = 89) had significantly lower values for HGS, 4-MWT speed, TST, MUAC, CC, albumin, and MNA-SF, but higher SARC-F and NRS2002 scores (all P < 0.05). Four indicators showed AUC > 0.65: MNA-SF (AUC = 0.70), SARC-F (AUC = 0.67), CC (AUC = 0.67), TST (AUC = 0.66). In elderly patients (≥65 years, n = 134), CC achieved the highest AUC (0.71). Logistic regression in separate models (each adjusted for age, gender, ADL, NIHSS, and stroke history) showed that higher MNA-SF, CC, TST, and 4-MWT as protective factors, while elevated SARC-F and NRS2002 were risk factors (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsMNA-SF, SARC-F, and CC are effective PSF predictors, with CC optimal in elderly patients. Integrating these tools could optimize frailty risk stratification, guiding targeted nutrition/resistance training to mitigate post-stroke frailty.