Factors associated with inadequate muscle mass assessed by ultrasonography in patients in surgical patients of a Peruvian hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition is a prevalent issue in hospitalized patients, affecting up to 50% of this population in Peru, and is linked to various factors, including gastrointestinal alterations, comorbidities, and prolonged hospital stays. Ultrasound has emerged as a promising tool for evaluating muscle mass, overcoming the limitations of conventional methods. Objective: To assess the factors associated with inadequate muscle mass (IMM), evaluated by ultrasound in adult patients treated by the Surgery Service of a Peruvian hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted. The thickness of the femoral quadriceps muscle (FQM) was measured by ultrasound, with IMM considered for values below the reference. Evaluated factors included age, sex, nutritional status, admission diagnosis, illness duration, comorbidities, gastrointestinal symptoms, risk of malnutrition, anemia, and lymphopenia. Crude prevalence ratios (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated, along with their respective 95% confidence intervals. Results: Out of 126 patients, 55.6% presented with IMM. Age ≥60 years (aPR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.09 – 1.91; p=0.011) and a longer duration of illness (aPR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01 – 1.03; p=0.034) were significantly associated with IMM. Overweight and obesity showed a lower prevalence of IMM (aPR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.44 – 0.89; p=0.009), but the interaction between overweight/obesity and cardiometabolic comorbidity was significant, indicating an increased risk of IMM in this population. Conclusion: Advanced age, prolonged illness duration, and the presence of cardiometabolic comorbidities in overweight and obese patients, were the main factors associated with IMM.