The “Sarcopenia and Physical fRailty IN older people: multi-componenT Treatment strategies” (SPRINTT) randomized controlled trial: Case finding, screening and characteristics of eligible participants

Abstract

Background:The ongoing “Sarcopenia and Physical fRailty IN older people: multi-componenT Treatment stra-tegies (SPRINTT)” randomized controlled trial (RCT) is testing the efficacy of a multicomponent intervention inthe prevention of mobility disability in older adults with physical frailty & sarcopenia (PF&S). Here, we describethe procedures followed for PF&S case finding and screening of candidate participants for the SPRINTT RCT. Wealso illustrate the main demographic and clinical characteristics of eligible screenees.Methods:The identification of PF&S was based on the co-occurrence of three defining elements: (1) reducedphysical performance (defined as a score on the Short Physical Performance Battery between 3 and 9); (2) lowmuscle mass according to the criteria released by the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health; and (3)absence of mobility disability (defined as ability to complete the 400-m walk test in 15 min). SPRINTT wasadvertised through a variety of means. Site-specific case finding strategies were developed to accommodate thevariability across centers in catchment area characteristics and access to the target population. A quick “parti-cipant profiling” questionnaire was devised to facilitate PF&S case finding.Results:During approximately 22 months, 12,358 prescreening interviews were completed in 17 SPRINTT sitesresulting in 6710 clinic screening visits. Eventually, 1566 candidates were found to be eligible for participatingin the SPRINTT RCT. Eligible screenees showed substantial physical function impairment and comorbidityburden. In most centers, project advertisement through mass media was the most rewarding case findingstrategy.Conclusion:PF&S case finding in the community is a challenging, but feasible task. Although largely autonomousin daily life activities, older adults with PF&S suffer from significant functional impairment and comorbidity.This subset of the older population is therefore at high risk for disability and other negative health-relatedevents. Key strategies to consider for successfully intercepting at-risk older adults should focus on mass com-munication methods.