Muscle wasting in intensive care patients: ultrasound observation of the M. quadriceps femoris muscle layer.
OBJECTIVE
Patients in intensive care exhibit a high degree of loss of muscle mass. Appropriate instruments are needed to document muscle wasting in these patients. The aim of this pilot study was to describe muscle wasting in patients in the intensive care unit.


METHODS
Two-fold study setting: prospective longitudinal and cross-sectional single-blind.


METHODS
A total of 118 patients in the intensive care unit (length of stay 1-98 days; male:female ratio 88:30; age 55 +/- 17 years) were included in a two-fold study setting.


METHODS
Muscle layer thickness of the M. quadriceps femoris was documented using ultrasound measurement at well-defined points. Seventeen pilot-patients were measured twice; at baseline and after 28 days. In another group of 101 patients, muscle layer thickness was determined once after a random length of stay. The results of both groups were compared and correlated.


RESULTS
In both groups, M. quadriceps femoris thickness showed a significant negative correlation with length of stay in the intensive care unit (p < 0.01). Furthermore, muscle wasting in intensive care patients could be described using a logarithmic function.


CONCLUSIONS
Loss of muscle mass shows a negative correlation with length of stay, and seems to be higher during the first 2-3 weeks of immobilization/intensive care unit stay. Ultrasound is a valid and practical measurement tool for documenting muscle mass (e.g. muscle layer thickness) as part of the daily routine at an intensive care unit.
Gruther
Wolfgang
W
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Benesch
Thomas
T
Zorn
Carina
C
Paternostro-Sluga
Tatjana
T
Quittan
Michael
M
Fialka-Moser
Veronika
V
Spiss
Christian
C
Kainberger
Franz
F
Crevenna
Richard
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D019282:Wasting Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology