Blood biomarkers for sarcopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies

Biomarkers are emerging as a potential tool for screening or diagnosing sarcopenia. We aimed to summarize the current evidence on the diagnostic test accuracy of biomarkers for sarcopenia. We comprehensively searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to January 2023 and only included diagnostic test accuracy studies. We identified 32 studies with 23,840 participants (women, 58.26%) that assessed a total of 30 biomarkers. The serum creatinine to cystatin C ratio (Cr/CysC) demonstrated a pooled sensitivity ranging from 51% (95% confidence interval [CI] 44% – 59%) to 86% (95% CI 70% – 95%) and a pooled specificity ranged from 55% (95% CI 38% – 70%) to 76% (95% CI 63% – 86%) for diagnosing sarcopenia defined by five different diagnostic criteria (11 studies, 7,240 participants). The aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 62% (95% CI 56% – 67%) and a pooled specificity of 66% (95% CI 60% – 72%) (3 studies, 11,146 participants). The other 28 blood biomarkers exhibited low-to-moderate diagnostic accuracy for sarcopenia regardless of the reference standards. In conclusion, none of these biomarkers are optimal for screening or diagnosing sarcopenia. Well-designed studies are needed to explore and validate novel biomarkers for sarcopenia.