Naoki Akazawa1, Naomi Okawa2, Masaki Kishi2, 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
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the quantitative features of intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps and their association with gait independence in older inpatients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with 216 inpatients ≥65 y of age. We also recruited 40 community-dwelling healthy individuals in the same age group who were able to walk independently for matched-pair analysis to determine the quantitative features of intramuscular adipose tissue in older inpatients. Participants were assigned to total assistance (Functional Independence Measure [FIM] gait score 1 or 2), partial assistance (FIM gait score 3-5), and independent (FIM gait score 6 or 7) groups. Ultrasound images were acquired using B-mode ultrasound imaging. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed based on echo intensity and muscle thickness, respectively. RESULTS: Echo intensity of the quadriceps of older inpatients was increased to ~1.66 times that of matched healthy older people. Echo intensity of the independent group was significantly lower than that of the total and partial assistance groups. No differences were found in quadricep thickness among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results from the present study suggested that intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps of older inpatients was increased to ~1.7 times that of healthy older individuals matched for demographic characteristics. More intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps was observed among older inpatients who were unable to walk independently compared with older inpatients who were able to walk independently.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the quantitative features of intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps and their association with gait independence in older inpatients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with 216 inpatients ≥65 y of age. We also recruited 40 community-dwelling healthy individuals in the same age group who were able to walk independently for matched-pair analysis to determine the quantitative features of intramuscular adipose tissue in older inpatients. Participants were assigned to total assistance (Functional Independence Measure [FIM] gait score 1 or 2), partial assistance (FIM gait score 3-5), and independent (FIM gait score 6 or 7) groups. Ultrasound images were acquired using B-mode ultrasound imaging. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed based on echo intensity and muscle thickness, respectively. RESULTS: Echo intensity of the quadriceps of older inpatients was increased to ~1.66 times that of matched healthy older people. Echo intensity of the independent group was significantly lower than that of the total and partial assistance groups. No differences were found in quadricep thickness among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results from the present study suggested that intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps of older inpatients was increased to ~1.7 times that of healthy older individuals matched for demographic characteristics. More intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps was observed among older inpatients who were unable to walk independently compared with older inpatients who were able to walk independently.
Authors: Klaus Engelke; Mansour Ghasemikaram; Oliver Chaudry; Michael Uder; Armin M Nagel; Franz Jakob; Wolfgang Kemmler Journal: Aging Clin Exp Res Date: 2022-05-28 Impact factor: 4.481