Thigh muscle and subcutaneous tissue thickness measured using ultrasound imaging in older females living in extended care: a preliminary study

Abstract

BackgroundThigh tissue thickness has not been examined in older females living in extended care in UK as an indicator of musculoskeletal health. This study examined the feasibility of using ultrasound imaging to measure the thickness of superficial (fat) and deep layers (muscle) of the thigh in older females living in extended care.MethodsIn ten older females in extended care (aged 80–98 years, mean 88 ± 6.8; body mass: 56.5 ± 12.6 kg) images of the anterior thigh (dominant) were taken in supine using B-mode ultrasound imaging. Superficial and deep layers were measured and percentage thickness was calculated. Independent t tests compared data from those in extended care to ten sedentary females living independently (aged 80–90 years, mean 84 ± 3.6; body mass: 61.6 ± 10.0 kg).ResultsThickness of the superficial layers was not significantly different between the two groups (CI −0.017 to 0.815, p = 0.059). However, those living in extended care had greater (p < 0.001) muscle thickness (mean 2.75 ± 0.48 cm) than those living independently (mean 1.83 ± 0.3 cm), which was similarly significant when normalised for body mass (extended care 0.51 ± 0.16; independent living 0.30 ± 0.06).ConclusionsThese novel findings showed it is feasible to use ultrasound to measure muscles in older females in extended care and that muscle thickness was larger than in those living independently. The reason for the difference seen between groups would need to be confirmed by a larger study that also examined factors related to risk of sarcopenia and frailty, such as nutrition and physical activity levels.

Non-Invasive Biomarkers of Musculoskeletal Health with High Discriminant Ability for Age and Gender

“…Anterior thigh thickness was assessed using a real-time ultrasound scanner (Aquila; Esaote Spa, Genova, Italy) with a 6-MHZ linear transducer array (60-mm footprint) to take B-mode cross-sectional images of the quadriceps muscle (rectus femoris and vastus intermedius) over the anterior mid-thigh. The lead investigator S.A.-B., who had already established intra-rater reliability, took two images at two-thirds of the distance between the anterior–superior iliac spine and the superior pole of the patella in the sagittal plane of the dominant limb [ 15 , 16 ]. Muscle thickness and non-contractile tissue thickness (subcutaneous adipose tissue and peri-muscular fascia) were measured offline using a MATLAB algorithm written by one of the authors (MW).…”

Application of ultrasound for muscle assessment in sarcopenia: towards standardized measurements

“…At a two-third distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the proximal border of the patella, rectus femoris was assessed for muscle thickness [43,77,141]. Vastus lateralis was assessed for muscle thickness [118] and echo intensity [118].…”

“…Vastus lateralis was assessed for muscle thickness [118] and echo intensity [118]. Vastus intermedius was assessed for muscle thickness [77,141].…”

Preliminary Analysis of Burn Degree Using Non-invasive Microwave Spiral Resonator Sensor for Clinical Applications

“…Estimation and relationship between the skin, fat, and muscle layers based on the fundamental parameters are given in Shankar et al ( 21 ), Bueno et al ( 22 ), and Mechelli ( 23 ). Similarly, the relationship between muscle and fat has been studied by Welch et al ( 24 ). The impact of age and gender on the muscle and fat layers, and various body parts are investigated ( 25 , 26 ).…”