Abstract
Estimates of muscle tissue composition may have greater prognostic value than lean body mass levels regarding health-related outcomes. Ultrasound provides a relatively low cost, safe, and accessible mode of imaging to assess muscle morphology. The purpose of this study was to determine the construct validity of muscle echogenicity as a surrogate measure of muscle quality in a sample of older, predominantly African American (AA) participants. We examined the association of rectus femoris echogenicity with mid-thigh computed tomography (CT) scan estimates of intra-and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), basic metabolic parameters via blood sample analysis, muscle strength, and mobility status. This observational study was conducted at a federal medical center and included 30 community-dwelling men (age, 62.5 ± 9.2; AA, n = 24; Caucasian, n = 6). IMAT estimates were significantly associated with echogenicity (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). Echogenicity and IMAT exhibited similar associations with the two-hour postprandial glucose values and high-density lipoproteins values (p < 0.04), as well as grip and isokinetic (180◦/s) knee extension strength adjusted for body size (p < 0.03). The significant relationship between ultrasound and CT muscle composition estimates, and their comparative association with key health-related outcomes, suggests that echogenicity should be further considered as a surrogate measure of muscle quality.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 340 |
Journal | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2018 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aging
- Computed tomography
- Echogenicity
- Metabolic status
- Muscle quality
- Muscle strength
- Muscle tissue composition
- Myosteatosis
- Quantitative ultrasound
- Sarcopenia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)