Assessment Of Sarcopenia In Critical Patients And Disease Prognosis

Background: Sarcopenia is a progressive muscle disorder commonly associated with aging and chronic diseases. It has been linked to worse clinical outcomes and increased vulnerability during acute illness. However, its prevalence in emergency department (ED) populations remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of sarcopenia among ED patients using ultrasound, determine its relationship with underlying comorbidities, and assess its association with in-hospital complications. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, cross-sectional study at the Infanta Cristina University Hospital (Madrid, Spain) from January to May 2023. A total of 150 patients ≥18 years old presenting to the ED were assessed for sarcopenia using rectus femoris ultrasound. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were collected. Patients were followed for 30 days to evaluate in-hospital outcomes and complications. Comparisons were made between diagnostic groups and sarcopenia indices. Results: The mean age of the cohort was 70.7 years (SD 18.15), and 52% were male. Neurological diseases were associated with the highest degree of sarcopenia (mean Y-axis: 0.9343 cm), followed by digestive (1.046 cm), hematological (1.048 cm), and cardiovascular diseases (1.079 cm). Patients who developed in-hospital complications had lower mean muscle thickness values compared to those without complications (1.0786 cm vs. 1.2414 cm; p < 0.05). Sarcopenia was significantly correlated with the presence of comorbidities and poor clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Sarcopenia is highly prevalent among ED patients, especially those with neurological and digestive diseases. Muscle ultrasound is a feasible screening tool in acute care settings and may aid in early identification of patients at higher risk of adverse outcomes. These findings support the integration of sarcopenia screening protocols into emergency care and highlight the need for further studies to develop targeted interventions