Ten days bed rest has been associated with 10% loss of skeletal muscle mass. This is often considered the explanation for hospitalization-related functional decline and frailty. However, this figure is based on research on a small sample of healthy volunteers. Systematic reviews of change in muscle strength and mass related to hospitalization have varying conclusions. Previous studies included small sample sizes and only three utilized an objective measure of lean body mass, such as bioelectrical impedance. Hospitalization-related functional decline is associated with admission to long-care term and consequent society and economic costs. We aim to understand whether a decline in muscle mass and strength due to hospitalization is occurring. If so, to what extent and who is it occurring with?
We aim to objectively quantify change in muscle mass and strength in a large sample of both emergency and elective admissions, of all ages. We will measure the muscle mass using bioelectrical impedance and handgrip. Measurements will be performed when the patient is admitted and will be repeated on the day the patient is discharged from the hospital. This information will be merged with routinely collected HIPE data on length of stay, diagnoses, operations, discharge destination and age to examine associations with these factors. In a subgroup treated under the care if the frailty team we will also look at associations with change in clinical frailty and functional abilities. This work will further our knowledge of the causes of hospitalization related functional decline and pave the way for future research.
