Association Between Sarcopenia and Functional Independence After Acute Fragility Hip Fracture at 6 Months

Abstract

Purpose: The primary goal of hip fracture treatment is to allow ambulatory life as early as possible to avoid any subsequent complication after fracture. The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) defined sarcopenia as the presence of both low muscle strength and low muscle quantity. Our purpose in this study was to identify the association between sarcopenia and functional independence after acute fragility hip fracture. Methods: Patients 50 years old or more without neurologic diseases who encountered fragility hip fracture for the first time were included. Sarcopenia was assessed using EWGSOP revised 2018 criteria. Functional independence was assessed using the Barthel Index (BI) at 6 months after injury. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results: A total of 240 patients were included; overall, 84 patients with and 156 without sarcopenia. Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant difference in BI at 6 months among those with and without sarcopenia (p<0.001). Specifically, the lower limb related components of BI were decreased four points in patients with sarcopenia, which is a more statistically significant result when compared to the overall BI score. Conclusions: In this study, patients with sarcopenia were associated with functional independence impairment. Lower limb-related components of the BI must be specifically assessed in patients with hip fracture. Moreover, rehabilitation programs should be tailored to the specific needs of the patient.