The feasibility and reliability of measuring forearm muscle thickness by ultrasound in a geriatric inpatient setting: a cross-sectional pilot study.

Background: Given the potential benefits of introducing ultrasound in the clinical assessment of muscle disorders, this study aimed to assess the feasibility and reliability of measuring forearm muscle thickness by ultrasound in a geriatric clinical setting.

Methods: Cross-sectional pilot study in 25 participants (12 patients aged ≥ 70 years in an acute geriatric ward and 13 healthy volunteers aged 25-50 years), assessed by three raters. Muscle thickness measurement was estimated as the distance between the subcutaneous adipose tissue-muscle interface and muscle-bone interface of the radius at 30% proximal of the distance between the styloid process and distal insertion of the biceps brachii muscle of the dominant forearm.

Impact of adrenomedullin levels on clinical risk stratification and outcome in subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Purpose: To use classification tree analysis to identify risk factors for nonsurvival in a neurological patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and to propose a clinical model for predicting of mortality.

Methods: Prospective study of SAH admitted to a Critical Care Department and Stroke Unit over a 2-year period. Middle region of pro-ADM plasma levels (MR-proADM) was measured in EDTA plasma within the first 24 hours of hospital admission using the automatic immunofluorescence test.