%0 Journal Article %A Neil Greening %A Theresa Harvey-Dunstan %A Johanna Williams %A Mike Morgan %A Sally Singh %A Michael Steiner %T Lower limb muscle mass using ultrasound predicts re-hospitalisation following admission for acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease %D 2014 %J European Respiratory Journal %P 417 %V 44 %N Suppl 58 %X IntroductionSkeletal muscle dysfuction is an important marker for chronic respiratory disease (CRD), predicting mortality and healthcare utilisation. We hypothesised that measurements of lower limb muscle function measured during hospitalisation for acute exacerbation would predict re-admission in the subsequent 12 months.MethodsRectus femoris cross sectional area (Qcsa) using ultrasound, quadriceps strength and measures of exercise capacity were performed in subjects enrolled in a clinical trial of early rehabilitation during acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease. Subjects were followed up for 12 months.Results191 subjects were recruited. 121 (63.4%) of the subjects were readmitted in the year following their index admission. Mean time to readmission was 121 days (SD 106). Multivariate analysis identified 3 independent risk factors for re-admissionView this table:Multivariate analysis of risks factors for hospital readmission. Figure 1 shows a significant difference in risk of re-admission in subjects with smaller or larger Qcsa (p=0.013).ConclusionUltrasound assessment of Qcsa is a non-invasive measure of muscle mass that can be performed at the bedside and independently predicts the risk of re-hospitalisation. %U