Naoki Akazawa1, Naomi Okawa2, Toshikazu Hino2, Ryota Tsuji2, Kimiyuki Tamura2, Hideki Moriyama3. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Tokushima Bunri University, Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan. Electronic address: akazawa@tks.bunri-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Rehabilitation, Kasei Tamura Hospital, Wakayama, Wakayama, Japan. 3. Life and Medical Sciences Area, Health Sciences Discipline, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: The relationship between malnutrition risk and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients remains unclear, although a high rate of malnutrition risk has been observed in these patients. Understanding this relationship would be necessary for a management plans for older inpatients. This study aimed to examine the relationship between malnutrition risk and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients. METHODS: Three-hundred and twenty-three older inpatients participated in this cross-sectional study. Malnutrition risk was assessed using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). Intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps was assessed based on ultrasound echo intensity. Higher echo-intensity indicates greater amounts of intramuscular adipose tissue. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the factors that were independently associated with quadriceps echo intensity. GNRI, age, sex (male = 1, female = 2), number of medications, C-reactive protein, updated Charlson comorbidity index, Food Intake Level Scale, the subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh, motor-Functional Independence Measures, and length of hospital stay were set as the independent variables. RESULTS: GNRI (β = -0.18), age (β = 0.18), sex (β = 0.22), number of medications (β = 0.09), the subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh (β = -0.29), motor-FIM (β = -0.12), and length of hospital stay (β = 0.11) were significantly and independently associated with the quadriceps echo intensity. CONCLUSIONS: The current results revealed that higher malnutrition risk was associated with increased intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps of older inpatients even after adjusting for other characteristics. Nutritional intervention may be necessary for decreasing intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients who have higher malnutrition risk.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: The relationship between malnutrition risk and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients remains unclear, although a high rate of malnutrition risk has been observed in these patients. Understanding this relationship would be necessary for a management plans for older inpatients. This study aimed to examine the relationship between malnutrition risk and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients. METHODS: Three-hundred and twenty-three older inpatients participated in this cross-sectional study. Malnutrition risk was assessed using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). Intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps was assessed based on ultrasound echo intensity. Higher echo-intensity indicates greater amounts of intramuscular adipose tissue. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the factors that were independently associated with quadriceps echo intensity. GNRI, age, sex (male = 1, female = 2), number of medications, C-reactive protein, updated Charlson comorbidity index, Food Intake Level Scale, the subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh, motor-Functional Independence Measures, and length of hospital stay were set as the independent variables. RESULTS: GNRI (β = -0.18), age (β = 0.18), sex (β = 0.22), number of medications (β = 0.09), the subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh (β = -0.29), motor-FIM (β = -0.12), and length of hospital stay (β = 0.11) were significantly and independently associated with the quadriceps echo intensity. CONCLUSIONS: The current results revealed that higher malnutrition risk was associated with increased intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps of older inpatients even after adjusting for other characteristics. Nutritional intervention may be necessary for decreasing intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients who have higher malnutrition risk.
Authors: Francisco José Sánchez-Torralvo; Nuria Porras; Ignacio Ruiz-García; Cristina Maldonado-Araque; María García-Olivares; María Victoria Girón; Montserrat Gonzalo-Marín; Casilda Olveira; Gabriel Olveira Journal: Nutrients Date: 2022-08-17 Impact factor: 6.706