Role of Muscle Ultrasonography in the Study of Frailty in the Elderly

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Muscle ultrasound [MUS] is a popular tool for detecting muscle loss in sarcopenia, but to a lesser extent in frailty. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between the frailty index obtained from the comprehensive geriatric assessment [FI-CGA] and the MUS measurement of the anterior thigh in elderly populations.
Aim of the study: Evaluating the role of muscle ultrasonography in the Study of frailty in the elderly
Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 150 individuals, 96 [64% male] and 54 [36% female] aged 65 years or older. We identify patients with frailty using the multidimensional domains CGA-based FI, which consisted of 38 variables focusing on the number and nature of the patient’s health deficits. Total muscle thicknesses [TMT] of the rectus femoris [RF] and vastus intermedius [VI] were measured using MUS in an axial cross-section. 
Results: The individuals examined had an average frailty index [FI] of 0.23 ± 0.05. According to the predetermined FI cut-off point, 99 [66%] respondents were frail [FI ≥0.25] and 51 [34%] were deemed non-frail. Study discovered a strong correlation between MUS thickness of the anterior thigh and frailty determined by FI-CGA. In addition, an RF cutoff point of less than 1.33 cm for identifying frailty was observed. Further research is needed to confirm the MUS as a method of detection for frailty among elderly populations.
Conclusion: FI approach can be beneficial in both evaluation and management. MUS measurements of the RF and TMT of the RF and VI muscle thickness appeared to be strongly associated with FI. 

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