Gomes T, Trombini KCB, Martins MVS, Martins HRF. Screening for sarcopenia and frailty in patients with chronic ulcers: a cross-sectional study.
J Vasc Bras 2020;
19:e20190054. [PMID:
34178052 PMCID:
PMC8202172 DOI:
10.1590/1677-5449.190054]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Patients with venous ulcers report multiple comorbidities and are more likely to be physically inactive. Sarcopenia and frailty increase vulnerability to dependence and/or death.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the occurrence of sarcopenia and frailty in patients with chronic venous ulcers.
METHODS
Observational study with cross-sectional design. Nine patients (67.4 ± 8.42 years) with lower limb venous ulcers classified as CEAP 6 according to International Consensus on Chronic Venous Diseases criteria (open and active ulcer) were evaluated. Sarcopenia was assessed and classified by assessment of strength (manual dynamometry), gait speed (10-meter walk test), and muscle mass (calf circumference). Frailty screening was based on the Fried criteria, consisting of five components: unintentional weight loss; exhaustion; weakness; slow gait speed; and low physical activity.
RESULTS
Frailty was more frequent (n=9; 100%) than sarcopenia (n=1; 11,1%). The most common Fried criterion was exhaustion (n=9; 100%), followed by low physical activity (n=8; 88,8%), muscle weakness (n=5; 55%), and unintentional weight loss. Finally, the least frequent criterion was slow walking speed (n=2; 22.2%). In the subject diagnosed with sarcopenia, both weakness and reduced muscle mass were observed (n=1; 11,1%).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with chronic venous ulcers exhibit frailty or pre-frailty and the components that comprise the condition of frailty in this population are exhaustion, low physical activity, and muscle weakness. Sarcopenia was identified in a small proportion of the patients.
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