Measuring Acute Sarcopenia in Older Colorectal Surgery Patients

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Measuring Acute Sarcopenia in Older Colorectal Surgery Patients: A Pilot Observational Study

• IRAS ID

  210641

• Contact name

  Carly Welch

• Contact email

  welchc@bham.ac.uk

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  ERN_17-0024, University of Birmingham Ethics Research Number

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 5 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Background

  Older adults are at increased risk of adverse events (e.g. falls) during hospital admissions, meaning staff are cautious at allowing early physical activity in hospital. Age-related chronic sarcopenia is a condition that arises over time. It is defined by reduced muscle size with reduced strength or reduced ability to perform tasks that require use of the muscles. Bedrest can lead to reductions in muscle size, however, hospitalisations for surgical procedures are associated with inflammatory changes that may compound this effect.

  Aims

  1) To assess feasibility of conducting research on sarcopenia in hospitalised patients
  2) To assess if older patients develop measurable acute loss of muscle mass and function after colorectal surgery
  3) To assess the relationship between frailty measures and immune-endocrine biomarkers with acute change in muscle mass, strength and function
  4) To assess the relationship between pre-operative frailty measures and immune-endocrine biomarkers with post-operative outcomes

  Methods

  20 patients aged 65 years or older who are expected to undergo a major colorectal surgical procedure and are able to provide informed consent at recruitment will be included. Quadriceps muscle thickness, grip strength and physical performance will be measured pre-operatively, immediately post-operatively and weekly during admission. Frailty, cognition, mood and nutrition will be assessed through patient interview pre-admission. Delirium will be screened for at each consultation.

  Expected Outcomes

  Results on feasibility will be used to guide future research. Demonstrating an acute decline in muscle mass and function and risk factors for this decline will allow targeted interventions to prevent this decline to be put into place.

• REC name

  Wales REC 6

• REC reference

  17/WA/0117

• Date of REC Opinion

  28 Apr 2017

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion