The association between sarcopenia and functional outcomes after hospital discharge among critically ill surgical patients
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Published on: July 26, 2024
Wariya Vongchaiudomchoke1, Benjaporn Sathitkarnmanee2, Chayanan Thanakiattiwibun3
1Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Background:
To determine the association between sarcopenia in surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients and long-term functional outcomes.
Method:
This prospective, cohort study enrolled patients aged >65 years admitted to SICUs at the tertiary care hospital. Their muscle mass and strength were measured by bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) and handgrip-strength or manual-muscle-strength tests. The functional outcomes were evaluated with the Thai version of the Barthel index for activities of daily living (ADL).
Results:
120 patients were enrolled. A multivariate analysis identified 3 independent predictors associated with poor functional outcomes (ADL scores ≤70) at one month after hospital discharge including sarcopenia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-8.87); duration of mechanical ventilation (aOR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02-1.38); and length of hospital stay (aOR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.10). Cox proportional-hazards regression models found that sarcopenia (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.02-4.22) and admission severity (aHR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.04-1.23) were predictors of 120-day mortality.
Conclusions:
Sarcopenia was an independent predictor of poor functional outcomes at one month after hospital discharge.
