Muscle Weakness Assessment in Older Intensive Care Unit Patients

• Main Authors: Amanda Colombo Peteck Lopes (Author), Paulo Henrique Coltro (Author), Vagner José Lopes (Author), Sandra Mari Pistore Fiori (Author), Jaqueline Santana Knapik (Author), Tatiane Caroline Boumer (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

INTRODUCTION: After long periods of hospitalization, older adults may develop muscle weakness that can affect their functional independence after discharge. OBJECTIVE: To assess muscle weakness in older patients admitted to an ICU. METHOD: This cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach assessed functional independence with the Katz Index and post-ICU muscle strength with a handgrip strength (HS) test and the Medical Research Council (MRC) sum-score. The sample consisted of 60 patients with an average age of 76 (60-99) years, 36 (60%) of whom were female. RESULTS: Post-ICU, 86.7% of the patients were functionally dependent. Female patients had significantly lower HS than males: 7 (0-24) vs. 17 (1-37) (p < 0.001). Female patients who received mechanical ventilation (MV) or sedation had significantly lower HS and MRC scores than those who did not (p < 0.001): HS MV 1 (0-13) vs. 11 (0-24) p < 0.001; MRC MV 35 (14-48) vs. 43 (27-57) p < 0.001; HS sedation 0 (0-12) vs. 9 (0-24) p < 0.001; MRC sedation 34 (14-36) vs. 42 (22-57) p < 0.001, respectively. Finally, there was an inversely proportional correlation between HS, MRC scores, and ICU length of stay, Spearman's rho = -0.267 (p = 0.0039) and Spearman's rho = -0.347 (p = 0.007), respectively. CONCLUSION: Older women who received mechanical ventilation and sedation have lower muscle strength than those who did not. As the ICU length of stay increases, muscle strength decreases.

Item Description

2447-2123
10.5327/Z2447-212320202000034