The Validity of Urinary Titin and Skeletal Muscle Index as Predictor of Muscle Weakness in Critically Ill Patients. A Prospective Cohort Study

Launched by ZAGAZIG UNIVERSITY · Jun 27, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is watching whether a simple urine test for a protein called titin, along with a CT-based measure of muscle size, can help predict which patients in the ICU will develop muscle weakness. Researchers will compare urinary titin levels with changes in leg muscle size (specifically the rectus femoris) and with diaphragm thickness over the first week in the ICU. The goal is to see if these measurements can serve as early indicators of ICU-acquired weakness in critically ill patients.

Who can participate and what to expect: adults 18 and older who are critically ill and expected to stay in the ICU for more than about 5 days may be invited to join (consent is provided by a relative). Both men and women are eligible; some people are not, such as those with certain surgeries, pregnancy, known neuromuscular diseases, recent chest tubes or tracheostomy, or recent trauma at the measurement site. Participants will have urine tests on ICU admission and on days 2, 3, 5, and 7; ultrasound checks of leg muscle and diaphragm on days 1, 3, 5, and 7; a CT scan to measure muscle size; and simple strength and mobility assessments. This is an observational study (no experimental treatment), and results are not yet available. Data may be shared with other researchers after collection. The study is being conducted at Zagazig University in Egypt.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Consent from relatives of first degree. Consecutive adult patients who will be expected to remain in ICU for \>5 days will be enrolled. Nonsurgical critically ill patients will be included because surgical insult reportedly increased urinary titin level (Tanihata et al., 2019). Age more than 18 years. Both male and female.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Surgery not including percutaneous abscess drainage. Patients with expected prehospital functional status of \<48 hours. Chest tube insertion, and tracheostomy in ICU. 8 Current pregnancy. Diagnosis of primary neuromuscular disease. Trauma at the measurement point.