Original Article
J Frailty Sarcopenia Falls 2022 Sep; 7(3):103-116 Copied!
10.22540/JFSF-07-103 Copied!
Induced frailty and acute sarcopenia are overlapping consequences of hospitalisation in older adults
- Medical Research Council (MRC) – Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, UK
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
- University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Academic Department of Surgery, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Keywords:
Abstract Objectives To determine the effects of hospitalisation upon frailty and sarcopenia. Methods Prospective cohort study at single UK hospital including adults ≥70 years-old admitted for elective colorectal surgery, emergency abdominal surgery, or acute infections. Serial assessments for frailty (Fried, Frailty Index, Clinical Frailty Scale [CFS]), and sarcopenia (handgrip strength, ultrasound quadriceps and/or bioelectrical impedance analysis, and gait speed and/or Short Physical Performance Battery) were conducted at baseline, 7 days post-admission/post-operatively, and 13 weeks post-admission/post-operatively. Results Eighty participants were included (mean age 79.2, 38.8% females). Frailty prevalence by all criteria at baseline was higher among medical compared to surgical participants. Median and estimated marginal CFS values and Fried frailty prevalence increased after 7 days, with rates returning towards baseline at 13 weeks. Sarcopenia incidence amongst those who did not have sarcopenia at baseline was 20.0%. However, some participants demonstrated improvements in sarcopenia status, and overall sarcopenia prevalence did not change. There was significant overlap between diagnoses with 37.3% meeting criteria for all four diagnoses at 7 days. Conclusions Induced frailty and acute sarcopenia are overlapping conditions affecting older adults during hospitalisation. Rates of frailty returned towards baseline at 13 weeks, suggesting that induced frailty is reversible.