Relationship between ultrasonographically assessed biceps brachii muscle mass and complete blood cell and blood chemistry

Aims: Relationships between muscle mass measured using different methods at different sites and several biochemical variables have been reported.The biceps brachii muscle mass can easily be assessed by ultrasonography (USG).This study investigated the relationship between ultrasonographically assessed biceps brachii muscle mass and complete blood cell count and blood chemistry variables in older palliative care patients. Methods:A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between June 2023 and August 2023 in an institutional palliative care setting.Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 score, feeding route, and pressure ulcers were recorded.Biceps brachii muscle thickness (BBMT) and cross-sectional area (BBCSA) were assessed using USG.Pearson's or Spearman's rho correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between muscle mass and target laboratory variables. Results:The study included 214 patients (age, mean±standard deviation: 78.4±9.1 years, female: 55.1%).BBMT was positively correlated with serum albumin (r=0.160,p=0.019) and creatinine (r=0.182,p=0.008) levels.BBCSA was positively correlated with serum albumin level (r=0.216,p=0.001).Controlling for age, sex, malnutrition risk, and C-reactive protein, only serum albumin level was independently associated with BBMT (ß=0.238,p=0.002) and BBCSA (ß=0.258,p<0.001). Conclusions:This study showed for the first time that serum albumin levels were independently associated with BBMT and BBCSA in older palliative care patients.Multicenter, longitudinal studies on multiple body regions are warranted to generalize these findings.