Point-of-care ultrasound measures of muscle and frailty measures

Key summary points Aim The aim of our study was to examine the association between a simple, point-of care (bedside) ultrasound measure of muscle thickness and two common frailty measures in older adults. Findings Point-of care ultrasound measures of muscle thickness showed a weak correlation with the Cardiovascular Health Study index of frailty, mostly due to a strong correlation with grip strength. Muscle thickness showed no association with a commonly used judgement-based measure of frailty (the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale). Message Despite the growing interest in ultrasound-based frailty measures in the emergency and surgical literature, our results indicate that caution is advised in using bedside ultrasound measures of muscle thickness as a clinical marker for a complex multidimensional syndrome such as frailty.