Grosor del músculo recto femoral y músculo vasto intermedio en adultos mayores mexicanos con fragilidad y sarcopenia

Background and objective

Frailty in older adults is a geriatric syndrome that has gained importance in the last decade. However, there is still no consolidated information regarding diagnostic tools that allow timely identification, and therefore, provide an appropriate therapeutic approach. The objective is to determine the Thickness of the Rectus Femoris Muscle (GMRF) and Thickness of the Vastus Intermedius Muscle (GMVI) in older Mexican adults with frailty and sarcopenia.

Material and methods

Cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative study in patients ≥65 years of age, admitted to the geriatrics service. The selection was according to the FRAIL (frail vs. non-frail) and SARC-F (high risk vs. low risk) classification; evaluating GMRF and GMVI by ultrasound. The data were analyzed through the statistical software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) ver. 25.

Results

The number of patients evaluated in the study and control group were 136 respectively. Significant differences were found regarding frailty status in age (years) (Frail: 75.06 ± 7.92 vs. Non-frail: 71.60 ± 5.56; P<.001), GMRF (mm) (Frail: 8.41 ± 3.08 vs. Non-frail: 11.03 ± 3.50; P<.001) and GMVI (mm) (Frail: 6.53 ± 2.64 vs. Non-frail: 8.66 ± 2.68; P<.001); Considering sarcopenia, there were differences in age (years) (High risk sarcopenia: 75.17 ± 7.84: vs low risk sarcopenia; 71.49 ± 5.60; P<.001), GMRF (mm) (high risk sarcopenia: 8.45 ± 3.11 vs low risk sarcopenia: 10.98 ± 3.50; P<.001) and GMVI (mm) (High risk Sarcopenia: 6.67 ± 2.63 vs Low risk Sarcopenia: 8.52 ± 2.79; P<.001).

Conclusions

The results found show that there is a significant difference in GMRF and GMVI in Mexican older adults with respect to frailty and sarcopenia. In this way, the present investigation establishes clinical bases for the use of ultrasonography assessments in the geriatric population.