Background: To evaluate the accuracy of arm circumference (AC) compared with other anthropometric and functional indicators as a predictor of sarcopenia risk in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, analytical, population-based study derived from a household survey involving individuals aged 60 years or older. Measurements of AC, calf circumference (CC), and variables related to muscle strength, muscle mass, and functional performance were collected, including the Timed Up and Go test, sit-to-stand test, and gait speed. Results: The sample comprised 708 older adults, predominantly female (64.7%), aged between 60 and 94 years. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 14.7%, with 4.9% classified as severe. AC showed a negative association with sarcopenia (β=–0.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75–0.92, p<0.01) and reduced the odds of sarcopenia by 17% for each additional centimeter (odds ratio=0.83, 95% CI 0.75–0.92). The comparison of the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) indicated similar performance between AC and CC (z=0.24, p=0.81). The diagnostic accuracy of AC was slightly higher than that of CC in male (27.1% vs. 26.6%) and female (43.0% vs. 37.6%). Conclusion Both AC and CC demonstrated high discriminative capacity for sarcopenia, with cutoff points that balanced sensitivity and specificity. AC stands out as a viable, simple, and effective alternative for sarcopenia screening in community-dwelling older adults.

The jugular foramen (JF) is located between the temporal and occipital bones. The JF is a primary pathway for venous outflow from the skull and passage of nerves. Variations are common in this region and may have clinical and surgical implications. To analyze the sexual dimorphism and JF morphology in skulls from Northeastern Brazil. 128 human skulls from the Anatomy Laboratory of the Federal University of Paraíba, 64 male and 64 female, were selected and the JFs analyzed for bone septation and the presence of a dome. Data analysis considered P<0.05 as significant. On at least one side, complete septation was observed in 26 skulls (20.3%), incomplete septation in 93 skulls (72.6%) and 61 skulls (47.6%) did not present septation. In 114 skulls (89%), 47.6% female and 41.4% male, have a unilateral presence of the dome and 71 (55.4%) have it bilaterally. Posterolateral compartment diameters and JF area had higher values on the right side in the total sample and separated by sex (P<0.05). Most morphometric variables of the anteromedial compartment were higher in male than in female (P<0.05), fact that was not observed in the posterolateral compartment (P>0.05). This study showed a higher prevalence of complete septation in males compared to females. Morphometric analysis presented a peculiar morphology of the JF in this study. These results suggests that the surgical approach to diseases that affect the JF may be peculiar to the studied population, confirming the importance of morphological analysis of the skull base.