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Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
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Muscle Evaluation and Hospital-Associated Disability in Acute Hospitalized Older Adults
M Nagae1, H Umegaki, A Yoshiko
1Hiroyuki Umegaki. Department of Community Healthcare and Geriatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsuruma-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan.
The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging
|July 17, 2022
Summary
Bilateral thigh muscle thickness (BATT) is linked to hospital-associated disability in mobility for older adults. Muscle assessment methods may need revision, and non-physical interventions could help with self-care disability.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Hospitalization in older adults frequently leads to hospital-associated disability (HAD), impacting daily living activities.
- Effective assessment of muscle health is crucial for predicting and preventing functional decline in elderly patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between various muscle evaluation methods, including muscle ultrasound, and hospital-associated disability (HAD) in elderly patients.
- To specifically examine the relationship between muscle assessments and HAD related to mobility and self-care impairments.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational cohort study involving 256 patients aged 65 years and older admitted to a geriatric ward.
- Muscle assessments included handgrip strength, skeletal muscle mass (bioimpedance), bilateral thigh muscle thickness (BATT), and rectus femoris echo intensity via ultrasound.
- Hospital-associated disability was assessed for mobility and self-care impairments.
Main Results:
- Hospital-associated disability in mobility (37.5%) was more prevalent than in self-care (30.0%).
- Bilateral thigh muscle thickness (BATT) was the only muscle indicator independently associated with HAD in mobility.
- No significant association was found between the studied muscle indicators and HAD in self-care.
Conclusions:
- Lower bilateral thigh muscle thickness (BATT) is associated with a higher prevalence of hospital-associated disability in mobility among hospitalized older adults.
- Current muscle assessment methods may require re-evaluation for hospitalized elderly populations.
- Addressing hospital-associated disability in self-care may necessitate interventions beyond physical assessments, such as psychosocial and environmental support.
