In conclusion , decrease in muscle strength and muscle mass in older patients is dependent on the type of admission .
HIGHLIGHTSPhysical inactivity during hospitalization is associated with detrimental outcome .Muscle strength and muscle mass decreased in electively admitted older patients .Muscle strength and muscle mass did not change in acutely admitted older patients
ABSTRACT Hospitalization may induce a decrease of muscle strength and muscle mass in older patients due to physical inactivity , malnutrition and diseases , negatively affecting health outcome .
We aim ed to examine the literature on change in muscle strength and muscle mass in older patients during hospitalization .
Early nutritional support and physiotherapy improved long-term self-sufficiency in acutely ill older patients.
OBJECTIVE An acute disease is regularly associated with inflammation , decreased food intake , and low physical activity ; the consequence is loss of muscle mass . However , the restoration of muscle tissue is problematic , especially in older patients . Loss of muscle mass leads to further decrease of physical activity which leads , together with recurring disease , to the progressive muscle mass loss accompanied by loss of self-sufficiency . Early nutrition support and physical activity could reverse this situation . Therefore , the aim of this study was to determine whether an active approach based on early nutritional therapy and exercise would influence the development of sarcopenia and impaired self-sufficiency during acute illness . METHODS Two hundred patients > 78 y were admitted to a hospital internal medicine department and participated in a prospect i ve , r and omized controlled study . The patients were r and omized to a control group receiving st and ard treatment ( n = 100 ) or to an intervention group ( n = 100 ) . The intervention consisted of nutritional supplements ( 600 kcal , 20 g/d protein ) added to a st and ard diet and a simultaneous intensive rehabilitation program . The tolerance of supplements and their influence on spontaneous food intake , self-sufficiency , muscle strength , and body composition were evaluated during the study period . The patients were then regularly monitored for 1 y post-discharge . RESULTS The provision of nutritional supplements together with early rehabilitation led to increased total energy and protein intake while the intake of st and ard hospital food was not reduced . The loss of lean body mass and a decrease in self-sufficiency were apparent at discharge from the hospital and 3 mo thereafter in the control group . Nutritional supplementation and the rehabilitation program in the study group prevented these alterations . A positive effect of nutritional intervention and exercise during the hospital stay was apparent at 6 mo post-discharge . CONCLUSIONS The early nutritional intervention together with early rehabilitation preserves muscle mass and independence in ill older patients hospitalized because of acute disease
In conclusion , decrease in muscle strength and muscle mass in older patients is dependent on the type of admission .
HIGHLIGHTSPhysical inactivity during hospitalization is associated with detrimental outcome .Muscle strength and muscle mass decreased in electively admitted older patients .Muscle strength and muscle mass did not change in acutely admitted older patients
ABSTRACT Hospitalization may induce a decrease of muscle strength and muscle mass in older patients due to physical inactivity , malnutrition and diseases , negatively affecting health outcome .
We aim ed to examine the literature on change in muscle strength and muscle mass in older patients during hospitalization .