Association of SOFA Score with Severity of Muscle Wasting in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Muscle wasting is a frequent complication in critically ill patients. This study aimed to evaluate whether muscle wasting occurs in these patients and its association with the severity of the disease. Materials and methods: This was a prospective, observational study including 50 patients admitted to the multidisciplinary ICU of a tertiary care hospital. Using a linear ultrasound probe, the thickness of the rectus femoris was measured on day 1 of admission and repeated at the same point on day 7. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated daily during the study period. The highest SOFA score during this period was recorded. The mean difference in the thickness of the rectus femoris between day 1 and day 7 was used to predict the occurrence of muscle wasting and the correlation between this difference and the highest SOFA score was analyzed.Results: The mean thickness of the rectus femoris on day 1 was 1.32 + 0.06 cm and on day 7 was 1.16 + 0.08 cm. The mean difference was found to be 0.16 cm (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in the thickness of the rectus femoris between day 1 and day 7. It was found to have a positive correlation with the highest SOFA score r = 0.886 (p < 0.01).Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there is significant muscle wasting in critically ill patients and this positively correlates with the severity of illness. Our study also highlights the role of bedside ultrasound in detecting muscle wasting.