Hospitalization and change in body composition and strength in a population-based cohort of older persons

Dawn E. Alley, Annemarie Koster, Dawn MacKey, Peggy Cawthon, Luigi Ferrucci, Eleanor M. Simonsick, Binbing Yu, Susan Hardy, Bret Goodpaster, Catherine Sarkisian, Denise K. Houston, Stephen B. Kritchevsky, Steven Cummings, Jung Sun Lee, Frances A. Tylavsky, Anne Newman, Tamara Harris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between hospitalization and annual changes in body composition and strength in older adults. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Clinic examinations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, or Memphis, Tennessee. PARTICIPANTS: Well-functioning adults aged 70 to 79 who participated in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. MEASUREMENTS: Hospitalizations were reported at annual clinic visits and in semiannual phone interviews. In the event of death or reported hospitalization, hospitalizations were adjudicated according to medical record review. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) assessments of total, lean, and fat mass were conducted in six annual examinations, and measures of knee extensor strength were conducted in two annual examinations. RESULTS: DXA assessments followed 2,309 hospitalizations. In men and women, hospitalization in the previous year was associated with greater declines in total mass (-0.76 and-0.81 kg, respectively), fat mass (-0.41 and-0.54 kg), and lean mass (-0.33 and-0.25 kg) (P<.001 for all) than in nonhospitalized participants, after adjustment for demographics and baseline values. Hospitalization was associated with strength declines in men (-4.02 Nm, P=.046) but not in women. Relationships were similar after adjusting for health behaviors and chronic conditions, although the association between hospitalization and strength was attenuated. Associations increased with number of days hospitalized; hospitalizations totaling 8 days or more in the previous year were associated with significantly greater loss of total, lean, and fat mass and loss of strength in both sexes than in nonhospitalized participants. CONCLUSION: Hospitalization is associated with significant changes in body composition and strength in older persons. These effects appear particularly important in persons hospitalized for 8 or more days per year.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2085-2091
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society
Volume58
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • function
  • hospitalization
  • lean mass
  • strength
  • weight loss

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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