• Prof. Dr. Sr. Terese kochuvilayil
• Dr. Fathima Latheef
• Dr. Mathew Pulicken
• Lintu Maria Thomas
• Jaisy Liz Thomas

Introduction Muscle atrophy is common in critical care area especially in ageing population and due to life-threatening conditions, it is neglected in the critical care area. Purpose Identify the prevalence of muscle atrophy of critical care patients in relation to muscle power and muscle circumferences. Materials and Methods: critical care based cross sectional study was conducted among 204 subjects aged 20yrs and above admitted in the critical care area of a tertiary care hospital at Tiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, Kerala. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, subjects were selected by random table method between April 2018 to February 2019. The data was collected by pre-tested baseline checklist for demographic and clinical variables, MMT to check muscle strength, and Inch tape to measure mid-arm, mid-thigh and mid-calf circumferences. The collected data was analysed using SPSS 16th version. Descriptive statistics frequency and percentage were used to interpret the data. Result: The prevalence of muscle atrophy among the age group between 61-80 yrs (58.8%). mean BMI of the study population was 24.86 ±3.73, 95.1% (194) patient was on bed rest, 71.1% (145) with comorbidity of Diabetes Mellitus, 95.1% (194) of subjects had risk factor as bed rest, 59.8% (122) subjects had abnormal magnesium level among the bio-chemical markers. subjects (57.8%) had 5-6 days of ICU stay with mean duration of 5.22 ± 1.54. and 66.7%(136) subjects had 7-9 days of hospital stay due to illness with mean of 9.3± 2.13. subjects with 61.8% of right upper and 62.3% left upper muscle strength and 63.7% of right lower and 62.7% of left lower muscle strength were normal. Subjects with 73.5% of right mid-arm and 74% of left mid-arm circumferences were normal also right mid-thigh mean and standard deviation value as 43.8±13.3 and left mid-thigh mean and standard deviation value as 43.4±13.3 were normal on the day of admission. whereas 68.1% of right mid-calf and 70.1% of left mid-calf circumferences were abnormal while admitted to the ICU. Conclusion: The study concluded that, the prevalence of muscle atrophy is more prone in aged and immobilized subjects of critical care patients. Duration of ICU stay is between 5-6 days and hospital stay is for 7-8 days. As per the previous studies muscle atrophy starts from 6 hours after admission. Recovery from muscle weakness and related complications are very slow process. So, measures need to be taken to prevent muscle atrophy in the critical care area and thereby reducing ICU and hospital stay followed by reduction in the financial burden of the patients. Present data showed that patients are admitted in ICU with normal clinical variables except mid-calf circumference, so preventive measures to be taken as primary prevention for muscle atrophy of critical care area.

muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, immobility

"PREVALENCE OF MUSCLE ATROPHY AMONG CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS IN A SELECTED HOSPITAL AT PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 3, page no.a658-a665, March-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2403090.pdf

"PREVALENCE OF MUSCLE ATROPHY AMONG CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS IN A SELECTED HOSPITAL AT PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 3, page no. ppa658-a665, March-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2403090.pdf