Muscle Assessment by Ultrasonography: Agreement with Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and Relationship with...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Sarcopenia diagnosis relies on methods with drawbacks.
• Muscle ultrasound is a potential tool for muscle assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate muscle ultrasound utility for muscle assessment.
• Correlate ultrasound with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and calf circumference (CC).
• Determine ultrasound cut-off values for low muscle mass and correlation with muscle performance.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-seven participants over 70 years old underwent ultrasound, DXA, and CC measurements.
• Ultrasound assessed femoral quadriceps and medial gastrocnemius muscle thickness.
• Muscle function evaluated via gait speed, SPPB, and grip strength.

Main Results:

• Good correlation found between gastrocnemius muscle thickness (ultrasound) and DXA (r=0.546-0.689).
• Strong correlations observed between gastrocnemius thickness and CC (r=0.447-0.651).
• Optimal cut-off values for low muscle mass identified: 18.5mm (transverse) and 17.3mm (longitudinal).
• Muscle thickness correlated significantly with gait speed, SPPB, and grip strength.

Conclusions:

• Gastrocnemius medialis thickness via ultrasound is reliable.
• Ultrasound measurements correlate well with DXA and CC.
• Ultrasound effectively assesses muscle mass and performance.