Severely Decreased Muscle Mass among Older Patients Hospitalized in a Long-Term Care Ward in Japan

Abstract

Summary Sarcopenia is known to increase the risk of adverse outcomes, including disability, loss of independence, hospitalization, longer length of hospital stay, and mortality, but there is little data about the prevalence of sarcopenia and the factors associated with increased physical dependency and cognitive decline among older patients hospitalized in a long-term care (LTC) ward in Japan. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 79 consecutive patients (34 men, 45 women) with a median age of 81 y hospitalized in an LTC hospital. Sarcopenia was defined according to the recommended algorithm of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was assessed by using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Physical dependency and cognitive decline were evaluated by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). ) in women, showing that all participants had an SMI below the cut-off value. Seventy participants (88.6%) were unable to perform the hand grip strength test, and all participants were unable to perform the gait speed test. Multivariate analysis showed that oral nutritional access and daily energy intake were associated both with physical and cognitive level (p,0.05).

Diagnosis, prevalence, and clinical impact of sarcopenia in COPD: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…47,70,71 Hospitalizations also hasten deconditioning and muscle weakness, thereby worsening the sarcopenic state. 47,72 Earlier identification of sarcopenia may therefore help direct preventive healthcare to positively impact upon its healthcare burden.…”

“…Sarcopenia has been associated with increased breathlessness, exacerbation frequency, and frailty in individuals with COPD 47,70,71 . Hospitalizations also hasten deconditioning and muscle weakness, thereby worsening the sarcopenic state 47,72 . Earlier identification of sarcopenia may therefore help direct preventive healthcare to positively impact upon its healthcare burden.…”

Implications of low muscle mass across the continuum of care: a narrative review

“…Activities of daily living were found to be associated with muscle mass and sarcopenia in two studies (193, 194), but not another (192). Mixed findings were also apparent when the relationship between muscle mass (194) or sarcopenia (192) and nutritional status as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment were investigated (positive relationship (194); null (192)). Individuals with lower muscle mass had worse Alzheimer’s severity (195) and individuals with sarcopenia had poorer survival (196).…”

“…Dual X-ray absorptiometry (n=5) and BIA (n=2) were the only measurement methods used in seven studies in the long-term care setting. Cognitive function was the most frequently reported outcome, and most did not find any association between sarcopenia and this parameter (190–192). Activities of daily living were found to be associated with muscle mass and sarcopenia in two studies (193, 194), but not another (192).…”

“…Cognitive function was the most frequently reported outcome, and most did not find any association between sarcopenia and this parameter (190–192). Activities of daily living were found to be associated with muscle mass and sarcopenia in two studies (193, 194), but not another (192). Mixed findings were also apparent when the relationship between muscle mass (194) or sarcopenia (192) and nutritional status as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment were investigated (positive relationship (194); null (192)).…”