Case report presentation of emerging seconder sarcopenia after sepsis attacks in intensive care unit

Abstract

Sarcopenia is defined as decreased muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance. In geriatric patients, secondary sarcopenia may also develop due to underlying diseases in addition to the known primary sarcopenia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the gold standard to calculate skeletal muscle index in the diagnosis of sarcopenia. The diagnostic approach is easier in mobilized, outpatient and hospitalized patient. However, it is difficult to perform a gold standard computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of sarcopenia and evaluate muscle strength and physical performance in patients who cannot be mobilized and stay in the intensive care unit. In this case report, we aimed to present the case in order to raise the awareness of clinicians considering the difficulty of application of diagnostic criteria of secondary sarcopenia in the course of prolonged intensive care unit hospitalization and difficulty of performing computed tomography and the lack of consensus on prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.