Ultrasonographic evaluation of the calf muscle mass and architecture in elderly patients with and without sarcopenia.
To sonographically assess the muscle mass and architecture of sarcopenic elderly subjects, and to explore the utility of ultrasound (US) measurements in predicting sarcopenia.



One hundred elderly subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Mean age value of our study population was 73.08±6.18years. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was confirmed by measuring fat-free mass index (using bioelectrical impedance analysis) and handgrip strength. Calf circumference was measured and US evaluations comprised bilateral gastrocnemius muscle (MG) thickness, fascicle length and pennate angles; subcutaneous fat and dermis thicknesses in the calf.



Bilateral muscle thickness and fascicle length values were significantly lower in patients with sarcopenia (both p<0.05). Sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic subjects had similar pennate angles, subcutaneous fat and dermis thicknesses. Median thickness ratio (100×t (MG)/[t (subcutaneous tissue)+t (dermis)+t (MG)]) values were 64% (40-88%) in the right and 64% (38-86%) in the left calf. Bilateral MG thickness and fascicle length values showed high sensitivity in predicting sarcopenia (all values>76.92%).



Gastrocnemius muscle thickness and fascicle length values are lower in sarcopenic elderly and these two parameters can serve as alternative measurements for predicting/quantifying sarcopenia. Calf circumference measurements alone may not be appropriate for assessing sarcopenia. Instead, US imaging can conveniently be used to evaluate different compartments of the musculoskelal system in (sarcopenic) elderly.
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine Division of Geriatric Medicine, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: mekuyumcu@gmail.com.
Mehmet Emin
ME
Kuyumcu
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine Division of Geriatric Medicine, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey.
Meltem
M
Halil
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine Division of Geriatric Medicine, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey.
Özgür
Ö
Kara
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Physical and Medicine Rehabilitation, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey.
Bledjan
B
Çuni
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Physical and Medicine Rehabilitation, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey.
Gökhan
G
Çağlayan
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Physical and Medicine Rehabilitation, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey.
Serdar
S
Güven
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine Division of Geriatric Medicine, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey.
Yusuf
Y
Yeşil
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine Division of Geriatric Medicine, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey.
Güneş
G
Arık
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine Division of Geriatric Medicine, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey.
Burcu Balam
BB
Yavuz
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine Division of Geriatric Medicine, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey.
Mustafa
M
Cankurtaran
Hacettepe University Medical School, Department of Physical and Medicine Rehabilitation, 06100 Sıhhıye, Ankara, Turkey.
Levent
L
Özçakar
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D020405:Dermis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
Architecture; Fat; Gastrocnemius; Older adult; Sarcopenia; Ultrasound