Article

Acute hospitalization of older patients may be associated with loss of
muscle strength and functional performance. The aim of this study was to
investigate the effect of acute hospitalization as a result of medical disease on
muscle strength and functional performance in older medical patients. DESIGN:
Isometric knee-extension strength; handgrip strength; and functional performance,
that is, the Timed Up and Go test, were assessed at admission, at discharge, and
30 days after discharge. Twenty-four-hour mobility was measured during
hospitalization. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 82.7 (8.2) years, and the median
length of stay was 7.5 days (interquartile range, 4.25-11). Knee-extension
strength did not change over time (1.0 [N.m]/kg, 1.1 [N.m]/kg, and 1.1 [N.m]/kg,
P = 0.138), as did handgrip strength (24.2 kg, 23.3 kg, and 23.5 kg, P = 0.265).
The Timed Up and Go test improved during hospitalization, from 17.3 secs at
admission to 13.3 secs at discharge (P = 0.003), but with no improvement at the
30-day follow-up (12.4 secs, P = 0.064). The median times spent in lying,
sitting, and standing/walking were 17.4 hrs per day, 4.8 hrs per day, and 0.8 hrs
per day, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle strength did not change during
hospitalization and 30 days after discharge in the acutely admitted older medical
patients. Despite a low level of mobility during hospitalization, functional
performance improved significantly during hospitalization, without further
improvement.

Langue : ANGLAIS