Samenvatting

Background & aims Sarcopenic declines in muscle mass and strength are punctuated by periods of muscle disuse that can accelerate losses of muscle mass and strength. Protein supplementation might be a promising strategy to prevent or treat the loss of muscle mass during hospitalization. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the effect of a protein intervention on sarcopenia during a period of hospitalization in elderly Methods PubMed and Scopus databases were searched using predefined search terms. Only English or Dutch studies reporting outcome data relevant to muscle mass, muscle strength or physical performance; relating to protein intake in an elderly (>65 years old), hospitalized population; with a minimum length of stay of ≥4 consecutive days during the intervention period were selected. Results The 7 included articles in this systematic review were all randomized controlled trials (RCT). A significant change in one of the muscle mass measurements was reported 4 times (lean mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, body cell mass and fat free mass) among 2 of the 6 concerning studies. No significant change was found in muscle strength and physical performance. Conclusion In conclusion, this study indicates that a protein intervention did not increase or maintain muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance significantly more than control groups in hospitalized, elderly populations. A protein intake well above RDA (>1.27 g/kg/day) may suppress muscle strength and physical performance deterioration during hospitalization, but findings related to protein intake and muscle mass were inconclusive. Clearly more research regarding the effect of protein intake on sarcopenia outcome measures in a hospitalized setting is required.