Associations of toileting abilities with maximum calf circumference, body composition, and nutritional status

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the the possible relationships of maximum calf circumference (MCC), body composition (BC), and nutritional status (NS) with toileting abilities. Subjects: Sixty-six old-old inpatients. Methods: We examined the relationships of toileting (Barthel index) with MCC (measured at 26% calf length from the lower end of the fibular head), BC (predictive height, weight, body mass index, and muscle mass), and NS (albumin obtained from medical records using correlation analysis. Results: Toileting abilities correlated significantly with MCC, BC, and NS. MCC and albumin status showed the best correlations with toileting abilities in the multiple regression model. Conclusion: MCC and albumin status may predict the toileting abilities of old-old inpatients.