Assessing the Relationship Between Frailty and Skeletal Muscle Thickness in Critically Ill Patients

Assessment of muscle mass in critically ill patients is critical for both improving clinical outcomes and monitoring the effectiveness of nutritional interventions. Loss of muscle mass is associated with mortality and morbidity in the elderly, including organ transplantation, trauma, and sepsis. Previous studies have assessed muscle mass using computed tomography. The use of computed tomography is costly, carries radiation risks, and requires the patient to be transported to a CT scanner. In contrast, ultrasonography is a noninvasive, rapid, and bedside method without radiation exposure. In particular, anterior thigh muscle thickness (ATMT) stands out as a reliable biomarker in the assessment of muscle mass. ATMT measurement includes the assessment of the combined depth of the vastus intermedius and rectus femoris muscles in the anterior thigh. There is no study in the literature examining the effects of anterior thigh muscle thickness measured by ultrasonography on malnutrition and frailty in intensive care patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of anterior thigh muscle thickness on frailty, malnutrition and length of stay in intensive care patients.

According to the World Health Organization, the global elderly population is rapidly increasing, and this is causing a significant increase in the number of elderly patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). The rate of individuals aged 60 and over, which was 12% in 2015, is estimated to reach 22% in 2050. This demographic change significantly increases the use of intensive care beds and the duration of healthcare services by frail and vulnerable elderly individuals. Malnutrition, frailty and mortality rates in patients hospitalized in intensive care units are among the main factors that directly affect patient prognosis. Malnutrition negatively affects both short- and long-term clinical outcomes by causing serious consequences such as weakening of the immune system, increased susceptibility to infections, delayed wound healing and decreased muscle mass. Frailty is characterized by the decrease in physiological reserves due to age and disease and has an important role in predicting clinical deterioration in intensive care patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of anterior thigh muscle thickness on frailty, malnutrition, and length of stay in intensive care in intensive care patients. This study was designed as a prospective, observational study. The study will be conducted on patients admitted to the Ankara Education and Research Hospital Anesthesia intensive care unit for any reason after obtaining ethics committee approval.