Abstract
Objective
The study aimed to evaluate the performance of ultrasonographic medial gastrocnemius muscle thickness (MGMT) and pennation angle (MGMPA) in diagnosing sarcopenia among patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).
Methods
The MGMT and MGMPA were measured ultrasonographically. Baseline characteristics were compared between the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups. Correlations between ultrasound parameters and sarcopenia indicators were evaluated. The diagnostic performance of the ultrasound parameters was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors associated with sarcopenia, followed by the construction and validation of a diagnostic nomogram. Additionally, bootstrap mediation analysis assessed the direct and indirect effects of sonographic parameters on sarcopenia.
Results
This study cohort comprised 221 MHD patients. Both MGMT (12.8 vs. 16.5 mm,
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Conclusion
Ultrasonographic measurement of MGMT demonstrates high diagnostic performance and serves as a reliable, independent predictor for sarcopenia in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, highlighting its potential as a practical, non-invasive screening tool in clinical practice.