What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore the prevalence and impact of sarcopenia in critically ill patients and its multifactorial etiology.

April 23, 2026Open Access

Sarcopenia associated with critical illness: a multidisciplinary condition with prognostic impact

Key Points

To explore the prevalence and impact of sarcopenia in critically ill patients and its multifactorial etiology.
Analysis of sarcopenia prevalence among intensive care unit patients
Evaluation using imaging techniques like CT and MRI
Implementation of multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions
Sarcopenia correlates with increased mortality and adverse outcomes in the ICU
Factors like age, nutrition, and inflammation contribute to its development
Multimodal management strategies improve patient prognosis

Abstract

Sarcopenia has a high prevalence among patients admitted to intensive care units, and it is associated with adverse outcomes and increased mortality. Its prevalence increases with advancing age; however, it is not a pathology specific to the geriatric population. The etiology is multifactorial, including metabolic, nutritional, inflammatory, endocrine and neuromuscular factors. In critically ill patients, the progression of sarcopenia is rapid. Diagnosis in the intensive care unit is most commonly based on objective assessment of muscle quantity and quality using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), ultrasonography (US) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The therapeutic management is multidisciplinary, individualized and multimodal, including nutritional support, physiotherapy, electrotherapy and pharmacological interventions. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic management may significantly influence patient prognosis.

Sarcopenia associated with critical illness: a multidisciplinary condition with prognostic impact

Key Points

Abstract

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