Sarcopenia index and mortality in community-dwelling centenarians: a prospective cohort
In 1002 community-dwelling centenarians in Hainan, China, a sarcopenia index calculated from routine blood values was an independent predictor of mortality; each unit increase was linked to 3.7% lower mortality. This is an association, not proof of cause. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the sarcopenia index for mortality in centenarians. [1]
The prospective cohort enrolled 1002 community-dwelling centenarians from Hainan, China. [1]
Each unit increase in SI was associated with a 3.7% reduction in mortality rates; SI is described as a surrogate marker, not a direct diagnostic indicator of sarcopenia. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Prospective cohort study (abstract)
- Population / context
- 1002 community-dwelling centenarians in Hainan, China
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 21, 2026
Why a blood-based sarcopenia index in centenarians
The authors note that populations are aging quickly and that the health trajectory and mortality determinants of centenarians need better understanding. Traditional sarcopenia assessment, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), is described as costly and poorly accessible in primary care. The sarcopenia index (SI), calculated from routine blood biochemical indicators, is presented as a promising low-cost alternative. The study therefore aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of SI for mortality in centenarians.
Supporting source [1]
Prospective cohort of 1002 centenarians in Hainan
This prospective cohort study enrolled 1002 community-dwelling centenarians from Hainan, China. Baseline data came from an epidemiological survey and face-to-face interviews. SI was calculated as serum creatinine (mg/dL) divided by cystatin C (mg/L), multiplied by 100. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, SI was an independent predictor: each unit increase was associated with a 3.7% reduction in mortality rates. The abstract reports that SI showed moderate but stable predictive performance.
Supporting source [1]
Surrogate marker, not a direct sarcopenia diagnosis
The authors describe SI as an easy-to-obtain surrogate marker rather than a direct diagnostic indicator of sarcopenia, with higher accessibility for predicting mortality among centenarians. The reported link between SI and mortality is an association from an observational cohort, so it does not show that changing SI would change mortality. The abstract does not report follow-up length, absolute mortality numbers or how well the model discriminated outcomes beyond the stated moderate performance.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. Follow-up duration, absolute mortality figures and detailed model performance are not reported in the abstract. The SI–mortality link is an observational association, not evidence of causation, and SI is not a direct diagnostic indicator of sarcopenia.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Cheng L, Lei M, Chen Y, Zhu Q, Ning C, Yang S, Wang S, Liu M, He Y, Zhao Y, Li P, Zhao Z, Fu S. · europepmc.org · September 21, 2026