Prevalence of low computed tomography-measured skeletal muscle index and handgrip strength in a general medical population.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined as the loss of muscle mass and function and has been associated with worsened outcomes, including disability and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients who had an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan completed within 7 days of hospital admission. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. Adult patients admitted to either the general medical or surgical floor were included. Muscle function was assessed using handgrip strength (HGS, kg), completed within the first 48 hours of admission. Skeletal muscle index (SMI, kg/m2 ) at the third lumber region was calculated among patients who had an abdominal CT scan completed within 7 days of admission. Sarcopenia was identified by the combination of low SMI and HGS. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients diagnosed with sarcopenia. RESULTS: A total of 1318 patients were admitted; 11% (n = 141) had an abdominal CT scan completed within 7 days of admission. Only race and prevalence of malnutrition were different between patients who did and did not have a CT completed. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 13% (n = 18/141). Additionally, 39% of the sample was at risk for sarcopenia, with either low SMI (n = 13/141) or low HGS (n = 42/141). CONCLUSIONS: Overall prevalence of sarcopenia was low, but more than one-third of patients had either low SMI or low HGS. Minimal differences were observed between patients who did and did not have an abdominal CT scan completed upon admission.

Immunotherapy of neuromyelitis optica.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that affects the optic nerves and spinal cord resulting in visual impairment and myelopathy. There is a growing body of evidence that immunotherapeutic agents targeting T and B cell functions, as well as active elimination of proinflammatory molecules from the peripheral blood circulation, can attenuate disease progression. In this review, we discuss the immunotherapeutic options and the treatment strategies in NMO. We also analyze the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease in order to provide recommendations regarding treatments.