The role of maximum compressed thickness of the quadriceps femoris muscle measured by ultrasonography in assessing nutritional risk in critically-ill patients with different volume statuses

PURPOSE: In this prospective observational study, we aimed to investigate the role of the maximum compressed (MC) and uncompressed (UC) thickness of the quadriceps femoris muscle (QFMT) measured by ultrasonography (USG) in the detection of nutritional risk in intensive care patients (ICPs) with different volume status. METHODS: 55 patients were included. Right, left, and total ucQFMT and mcQFMT measurements were obtained by a standard USG device within the first 48 hours after ICU admission. Clinical examination and the USG device were used to determine the volume status of the patients. SOFA, APACHE II, modified NUTRIC scores, and demographic data were collected. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the nutritional risk of patients in terms of left, right, and total mcQFMT measurements (p=0.025, p=0.039; p=0.028, respectively), mechanical ventilation requirement (p=0.014), presence of infection (p=0.019), and sepsis (p=0.006). There was no significant difference between different volume statuses in terms of mcQFMT measurements. In the multi-variance analysis, mcQFMT measurements were found to be independently associated with high nutritional risk (p=0.019, Exp(B)=0.256, 95%CI=0.082-0.800 for modified NUTRIC score ≥ 5), and higher nutritional risk (p=0.009, Exp(B)=0.144, 95%CI=0.033-0.620 for modified NUTRIC score ≥ 6). a Total mcQFMT value below 1.36 cm was a predictor for higher nutritional risk with 79% sensitivity and 70% specificity (AUC=0.749, p=0.002, likelihood ratio=2.04). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic measurement of total mcQFMT can be used as a novel nutritional risk assessment parameter in medical ICPs with different volume statuses. Thus, patients who could benefit from aggressive nutritional therapy can be easily identified in these patient groups.