Understanding Acute Sarcopenia
Understanding Acute Sarcopenia
This study aims to characterise acute changes in muscle mass, strength, physical performance
 in hospitalised older adults. We will assess the impact of these changes upon physical
 function at three month follow-up, and assess for the impact of clinical and immune-endocrine
 factors upon these changes.
Study Design

 Time-limited cohort study involving serial measurements of Bilateral Anterior Thigh Thickness
 (BATT) using ultrasound, handgrip strength, physical performance, and physical function
 measured using the Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information System (PROMIS®). We aim to
 fully characterise changes in these patients, and will perform a comprehensive evaluation of
 clinical factors including nutrition and physical activity, and measure immune-endocrine
 markers of inflammation.

 Study Participants

 Elective colorectal surgery, emergency abdominal surgery, and medical patients aged 70 years
 and older

 Planned Size of recruitment target

 56 elective colorectal patients, 56 emergency abdominal surgery patients, and 56 medical
 patients with acute infections

 Follow up duration

 3 months

 Primary research question

 Does acute change in quadriceps muscle thickness, handgrip strength and/or physical
 performance within one week of hospitalisation predict change in patient reported physical
 function at three months?
Inclusion Criteria:

 ELECTIVE COHORT

 -  Aged 70 years or older at time of recruitment

 -  Expected to undergo an elective major colorectal surgery procedure

 EMERGENCY SURGERY COHORT

 -  Aged 70 years or older at time of recruitment

 -  Emergency admission

 -  Expected to undergo emergency abdominal procedure during admission, or emergency
 abdominal procedure performed within previous 48 hours

 MEDICAL COHORT

 -  Aged 70 years or older at time of recruitment

 -  Emergency admission for acute bacterial infection or presumed acute bacterial
 infection

 Exclusion Criteria:

 ELECTIVE COHORT

 -  Unable to provide written informed consent at time of recruitment

 -  Unable to understand verbal English

 -  Life expectancy less than 30 days

 EMERGENCY SURGERY COHORT

 -  Unable to provide written informed consent at time of recruitment and no consultee
 available

 -  Unable to understand verbal English

 -  Life expectancy less than 30 days

 MEDICAL COHORT

 -  Unable to provide written informed consent at time of recruitment and no consultee
 available

 -  Unable to understand verbal English

 -  Life expectancy less than 30 days