Muscle Evaluation and Hospital-Associated Disability in Acute Hospitalized Older Adults

Objectives We aimed to examine the association of muscle evaluation, including muscle ultrasound, with hospital-associated disability (HAD), focusing on ADL categories. Design A prospective observational cohort study. Setting and Participants We recruited patients aged 65 years or older who were admitted to the geriatric ward of an acute hospital between October 2019 and September 2021. Measurements Handgrip strength, bioimpedance analyzer-determined skeletal muscle mass, bilateral thigh muscle thickness (BATT), and the echo intensity of the rectus femoris on muscle ultrasound were performed as muscle assessments. HAD was evaluated separately for mobility impairments and self-care impairments. Results In total, 256 individuals (mean age, 85.2 years; male sex, 41.8%) were analyzed. HAD in mobility was more common than HAD in self-care (37.5% vs. 30.0%). Only BATT was independently associated with HAD in mobility in multiple logistic regression analysis. There was no significant association between muscle indicators and HAD in self-care. Conclusion A lower BATT was associated with a higher prevalence of HAD in mobility, suggesting the need to reconsider muscle assessment methods in hospitalized older adults. In addition, approaches other than physical may be required, such as psychosocial and environmental interventions to improve HAD in self-care.

Automated summary

This study aimed to examine the association between muscle evaluation and hospital-associated disability (HAD), and found that thigh muscle thickness (BATT) was independently associated with mobility impairments, while other muscle indicators showed no significant association with self-care impairments. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider muscle assessment methods in hospitalized older adults and consider comprehensive interventions to improve self-care.