QUADRICEPS MUSCLE THICKNESS MEASURED BY POINT-OF-CARE ULTRASOUND AND HOSPITAL LENGTH OF STAY
2024
Measuring Muscle Thickness to Predict Hospital Stay
Sample size: 120
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Ganbat Uyanga, Byambaa Altan-Ochir, Meneilly Graydon
Primary Institution: University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
Ultrasound measurements of quadriceps muscle thickness and echointensity can serve as predictors for hospital length of stay and readmission rates.
Conclusion
Muscle thickness is a significant predictor of hospital stay duration.
Supporting Evidence
- Mean hospital length of stay was 27.4 days.
- Mean muscle thickness was 20 mm.
- Sex-based differences in muscle thickness were statistically significant.
- Muscle thickness correlated significantly with hospital length of stay.
Takeaway
This study found that measuring how thick your thigh muscle is can help doctors predict how long you'll stay in the hospital.
Methodology
The study measured quadriceps muscle thickness and echointensity using point-of-care ultrasound in patients at the emergency department.
Participant Demographics
Average age 76.9 years, with 64 women and 56 men.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Statistical Significance
p=0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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