Rehabilitation improves quality of life even in sarcopenia patients with hip fractures

Abstract

Abstract Sarcopenia is becoming more common as the world’s population ages, and it has been noted that this condition reduces quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how sarcopenia affects rehabilitation after a hip fracture. This was a retrospective, single hospital observational study. We investigated patients who were hospitalized for rehabilitation after a hip fracture. The evaluation subjects were walking speed, Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), numerical rating scale of bodily pain (NRS), and calf circumference on admission and at discharge.128 patients were eligible. Sarcopenia affects 66.4% of the population. On discharge, the Barthel Index, BBS,and NRS in the sarcopenia group were greater than on admission. In the non-sarcopenia group, the Barthel Index on discharge was higher than on admission. On admission, the non-sarcopenia group had a higher Barthel Index, BBS, NRS, and circumference than the sarcopenia group. Patients with sarcopenia after hip surgery had an improved Barthel Index as a measure of activities of daily living and BBS as a measure of balance for rehabilitation. On admission, these outcomes were significantly worse in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group; however, they were significantly improved by postoperative rehabilitation of the hip fracture.