Validation of quadriceps muscle thickness cutoff values for low muscle mass detection in patients with strokes undergoing rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND

Patients who have experienced strokes are prone to secondary muscle atrophy and sarcopenia, making the evaluation of muscle mass essential for effective rehabilitation. This study aimed to define cutoff values for quadriceps muscle thickness (QMT) when identifying low muscle mass, to address current gaps in noninvasive assessment methods for patients with stroke.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included patients with strokes. QMT on the non-paretic side was measured via ultrasonography. Patients were categorized into groups with low and normal muscle mass levels, based on the skeletal muscle index. The QMT cutoff value for identifying low muscle mass was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Logistic regression analysis assessed the association between low muscle mass and the cutoff values.

RESULTS

This study included 167 participants (mean age: 72.0 [interquartile range: 62.0-79.0] years; 58.1% males). The prevalence of low muscle mass was 68.9% (n = 115). The QMT cutoff values for identifying low muscle mass were determined as 64.556 mm for males and 54.764 mm for females, with area under the curve values of 0.881 and 0.884, respectively. These values were independently associated with low muscle mass, irrespective of covariates, with an odds ratio of 14.60 (95% confidence interval: 5.42-39.20; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

QMT represents a helpful measure for identifying low muscle mass in patients with strokes. Our findings suggest that incorporating QMT into routine assessments may improve sarcopenia management in patients with strokes.