title: Acute hospitalization of the older patient: changes in muscle strength and functional performance during hospitalization and 30 days after discharge.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acute hospitalization of older patients may be associated with loss of muscle strength and functional performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute hospitalization as a result of medical disease on muscle strength and functional performance in older medical patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Isometric knee-extension strength; handgrip strength; and functional performance, that is, the Timed Up and Go test, were assessed at admission, at discharge, and 30 days after discharge. Twenty-four-hour mobility was measured during hospitalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (SD) age was 82.7 (8.2) years, and the median length of stay was 7.5 days (interquartile range, 4.25-11). Knee-extension strength did not change over time (1.0 [N·m]/kg, 1.1 [N·m]/kg, and 1.1 [N·m]/kg, P = 0.138), as did handgrip strength (24.2 kg, 23.3 kg, and 23.5 kg, P = 0.265). The Timed Up and Go test improved during hospitalization, from 17.3 secs at admission to 13.3 secs at discharge (P = 0.003), but with no improvement at the 30-day follow-up (12.4 secs, P = 0.064). The median times spent in lying, sitting, and standing/walking were 17.4 hrs per day, 4.8 hrs per day, and 0.8 hrs per day, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Muscle strength did not change during hospitalization and 30 days after discharge in the acutely admitted older medical patients. Despite a low level of mobility during hospitalization, functional performance improved significantly during hospitalization, without further improvement.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ann Christine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bodilsen
authors.forename: Mette Merete
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Janne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.forename: Ove
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Louise Lawson
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kehlet
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bandholm
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001510:Bed Rest / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors