Intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps is more strongly related to recovery of swallowing ability than is muscle mass in older inpatients: A prospective study.

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to examine whether intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps at admission is related to the recovery of swallowing ability during a hospital stay in older inpatients. Methods This prospective study included 344 inpatients ages ≥ 65 y. Those who had stroke that was the obvious cause of dysphagia were excluded. Recovery of swallowing ability was assessed using Food Intake Level Scale (FILS) score at discharge and FILS change. Ultrasound images were acquired at admission. Intramuscular adipose tissue and muscle mass of the quadriceps were assessed based on echo intensity and muscle thickness, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine whether quadriceps echo intensity is independently associated with FILS score at discharge and FILS change. The independent variables were quadriceps echo intensity and thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh, Barthel Index score at admission, age, sex, number of medications, C-reactive protein, updated Charlson Comorbidity Index, FILS score at admission, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, days from disease onset, length of hospital stay, and units of rehabilitation therapy. Results Quadriceps echo intensity was independently and significantly associated with FILS score at discharge (β = −0.15, P Conclusions The present study revealed that intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps in older inpatients is more strongly related to recovery of swallowing ability than is muscle mass.