The predictive capacity of adductor pollicis muscle thickness for physical frailty in older adults

Key summary points Aim To investigate the relationship between adductor pollicis muscle thickness (AMPT) and physical frailty. Findings Adductor pollicis muscle thickness was statistically lower in frail patients and the negative predictive values were identified as 89.5% for women and 93.2% for men. Message Further prospective cohort studies should investigate the potential value of using APMT to diagnose frailty. Purpose There is a need for an easily measurable and reliable surrogate marker for physical frailty. This study aims to investigate the predictive capacity of adductor pollicis muscle thickness (AMPT), which can be easily measured externally and minimally influenced by subcutaneous adipose tissue, for physical frailty. Methods A total of 589 patients (16.3% physically frail, 54.7% pre-frail, 29% robust) were included. Comprehensive geriatric assessments and anthropometric measurements of the patients were performed. APMT was assessed with a skinfold caliper. Physical frailty was diagnosed using the fried frailty phenotype. The predictive ability of APMT for the diagnosis of frailty was examined. Results Of all the participants, 64.3% were women, and the average age was 74 ± 5.9 years. There was no significant difference in waist and hip circumference, or body mass index between the frail and non-frail groups. APMT, handgrip strength, gait speed, and calf circumference were significantly lower in frail patients than in non-frail ones ( p