Changes in muscle mass during acute short‐term hospitalization of elderly patients: A mini‐review

It has long been a presumption that hospitalization is associated with a loss of muscle mass in elderly patients. However, only a handful of studies have directly measured whether such a loss actually occurs. This mini‐review highlights some of the most recent research related to changes in muscle mass during acute short‐term hospitalization of elderly patients. Despite a high prevalence of physical inactivity during hospitalization, there is a lack of research measuring changes for habitual levels. The effect of inflammation on muscle mass in elderly patients is still uncertain. Nutritional supplementation beyond what is currently being prescribed in hospitals may have additional benefits on muscle mass. Dehydration prior to hospital admission may obscure true changes in muscle mass when using current state‐of‐the‐art measures due to in‐hospital rehydration. The current literature does not support the notion of in‐hospital loss of muscle mass in acutely admitted elderly patients; however, there is a need for more precise measures of muscle mass that are able to account for fluctuations in hydration status. Moreover, future studies assessing changes in muscle mass should also measure changes in physical activity levels, inflammation status, and nutritional intake during acute hospitalization.