Rectus femoris ultrasound as a rapid bedside tool associated with 1‐year hospitalization in cirrhosis: A retrospective study
Yasemin Polat Özer, Arzu Okyar Baş, Merve Güner, Burcu Gürbüz, Bengi Öztürk, Mert Eşme, Cafer Balcı, Meltem Gülhan Halil, Mustafa Cankurtaran, Onur Keskin, Taylan Kav, Burcu Balam DoğuAbstract
Background
Sarcopenia is a common complication of liver cirrhosis and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including increased hospitalization. Ultrasonography (USG) has recently emerged as a practical bedside method for assessing skeletal muscle mass. This study aimed to investigate the association between rectus femoris thickness (RFT) and rectus femoris cross‐sectional area (RFCSA) measured by USG and hospitalization in patients with cirrhosis.
Methods
This retrospective, single‐center study included 58 patients with cirrhosis followed at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Hospital between August 2021 and April 2023. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, laboratory parameters, anthropometric measurements, and muscle USG findings were obtained from medical records. Patients were categorized according to hospitalization status. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent factors associated with hospitalization.
Results
Patients with hospitalization had significantly lower body mass index and significantly higher Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease sodium (MELD‐Na) and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease 3.0 scores compared with those without hospitalization. RFT and RFCSA measured by USG were significantly lower in hospitalized patients ( P = 0.011 and P = 0.032, respectively). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, RFT remained associated with hospitalization after adjustment for age, sex, and MELD‐Na (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63–0.96; P = 0.021). Similarly, RFCSA was associated with hospitalization (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54–0.99: P = 0.043). MELD‐Na score was also independently associated with hospitalization across the models.
Conclusion
Ultrasound‐based rectus femoris measurements were associated with hospitalization in patients with cirrhosis. Bedside assessment of RFT and RFCSA may serve as a practical complementary approach for identifying patients at higher risk of hospitalization.