[Sarcopenia in Senior Subjects with Hip Fracture: Study of Prevalence, Correlation with Obesity, and Ultrasonography of the Rectus Femoris Muscle].

Objective: To determine the prevalence of probable sarcopenia in senior patients with hip fractures and to evaluate the correlation between ultrasound measurements of the rectus femoris (RF) muscle, obesity, and the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Methods: The present study included 65 participants aged ≥ 60 years old admitted due to hip fractures. We administered the Strength, Assistance with Walking, Rising from a Chair, Climbing Stairs, and Falls (SARC-F) questionnaire, and measured the calf circumference and handgrip strength. We also assessed the thickness and cross-sectional area of the bilateral RF muscle using ultrasound. Results: We identified probable sarcopenia in 13 participants (20.6%). The mean RF thickness was 1.03 cm (standard deviation [SD] = 0.22) for the right thigh and 1.03 cm (SD = 0.23) for the left thigh. The mean cross-sectional area was 2.61 cm 2 (SD = 0.71) in the right thigh and 2.97 cm 2 (SD = 0.69) in the left thigh. The average calf circumference was 31 cm (SD = 4.29) for the right leg and 31 cm (SD = 4.31) for the left leg. We did not find correlations between ultrasound measurements of the RF muscle and potential sarcopenia. The diagnosis of probable sarcopenia was four times more likely in subjects who were overweight and had hip fractures. Conclusion: The prevalence of probable sarcopenia was 20.6%. There was no correlation between ultrasound measurements of the RF and the presence of sarcopenia. Overweight significantly increased fourfold the likelihood of probable sarcopenia in this population.