Utility of ultrasound in measuring quadriceps muscle thickness in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis: comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Muscle wasting, a prevalent issue in hemodialysis patients, is effectively assessed by measuring quadriceps muscle thickness, a crucial health indicator. This meta-analysis integrates findings from various studies on the application of ultrasonography (US) for measuring the thickness of quadriceps muscles in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

We conducted a thorough literature search across PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science up to April 2023. The R software’s Meta package was used for mean difference analysis of quadriceps rectus femoris thickness (QRFT) and quadriceps vastus intermedius thickness (QVIT) between hemodialysis patients and healthy controls. All of the patients entered the meta-analysis are Caucasians. Sub-group analyses based on measurement sites and pre- and post-dialysis comparisons were performed.

Among 15 studies with 1584 patients, a significant decrease in QRFT and QVIT was observed in hemodialysis patients compared to healthy controls (mean difference = 0.40 cm, 95% CI: −0.49 to −0.31 and 0.46 cm, respectively). Right and left QRFT were notably thinner in hemodialysis patients (RT: mean difference = 0.39 cm; LT: mean difference = 0.42 cm). Similarly, right and left QVIT were notably thinner in hemodialysis patients (RT: mean difference = 0.45 cm; LT: mean difference = 0.47 cm). No significant pre- and post-dialysis QRFT differences were found.

Ultrasonography is a reliable, accessible tool for assessing quadriceps muscle thickness in hemodialysis patients, revealing consistent muscle thickness reduction. These findings emphasize the need for routine muscle health monitoring in this population and support ultrasound use for regular assessments.