Nutritional assessment by ultrasound of the rectus femoris and preperitoneal adipose tissue as predictors of hospitalized patient complications.

INTRODUCTION

Malnutrition and sarcopenia are associated with increased risk of adverse events and worse outcome in hospitalised patients. Ultrasonography is a useful tool in the assessment of body composition.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-three patients admitted to a hospital ward were recruited. Ultrasonographic variables of muscle tissue and adipose tissue were collected, as well as their variation during admission. These were correlated with anthropometric, clinical and analytical data.

RESULTS

We observed a correlation of ultrasound measurements with length of hospitalisation (maximum preperitoneal fat -0.585, rectus femoris thickness - RF -0.539, RF area -0.540), frailty (RF -0.599) and dependency (RF 0.628). RF contractile capacity correlated with reported weekly exercise (0.642).

CONCLUSION

RF and preperitoneal fat thickness correlate with the number of days of admission and functional capacity, emerging as prognostic variables.