Multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis may represent a reproducible and practical tool to assess skeletal muscle mass in euvolemic acutely ill hospitalized geriatric patients

Aim To study the reproducibility of skeletal muscle mass assessment using multifrequency bio-impedance analysis in acutely ill hospitalized geriatric patients. Findings Mean coefficient of variation of the three skeletal muscle mass measurements was 4.9% with excellent test–retest reliability. However, non-euvolemic patients showed a significantly larger variation and significantly lower test–retest reliability when compared to the euvolemic patients in this pilot study. Message Multifrequency bio-impedance analysis seems a reliable method to assess skeletal muscle mass during the first week of hospitalization in geriatric patients, however, clinicians should be aware that in patients with over- or dehydration measurements may better take place after hydration status is normalized.