Cachexia, sarcopenia, inflammaging and outcomes in hospitalised older people (the CaSIO study): Study protocol and preliminary results

IntroductionOlder people admitted to hospital are vulnerable to adverse outcomes including prolonged length of stay, reduced mobility, admission to care homes. Cachexia, sarcopenia and inflammaging are age-related conditions associated with poor outcomes but are little characterised in older people admitted to hospital. The aim of this study was to describe in detail a cohort of hospitalised older people with focus on cachexia, sarcopenia, inflammaging and clinical outcomes.Materials and methodsCaSIO was a prospective, cohort study of hospitalised older women, with a follow-up time over 2 years. Participants were recruited from the Medicine for Older People wards at a university hospital in England. Detailed characterisation of cachexia, sarcopenia and the immune-endocrine axis occurred on admission, discharge and at 6 months post-discharge. Outcome data were collected on the length of hospital admission, discharge destination, and longer-term outcomes including functional status at six month follow-up. Mortality data were collected at 6, 12 and 24 months.Results145 female participants (58% of eligible patients) were recruited and survived the admission with an average age 86 years; baseline characteristics are provided. 103 (71%) were re-assessed 6 months after discharge (18 (12%) had died; 24 (17%) were lost to follow up); mortality data was ascertained at 12 and 24 months.ConclusionThis study has described cachexia, sarcopenia and inflammaging in relation to clinical outcomes in hospitalised older women with 6 month follow up and mortality data collected for 24 months. This will add to a greater understanding of these conditions within older people.