[Background and aims]The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score is considered to be associated with prognosis and walking ability in heart failure patients. However, it is often difficult to evaluate SPPB scores in those requiring bed rest. In this study, we investigated the clinical backgrounds and physical findings that could be used to predict SPPB scores in elderly heart failure patients.[Methods]We collected the clinical data (age, sex, ejection fraction, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level) of 53 elderly patients (35 men, 18 women) with a mean age of 80.2 ± 7.4 years, who were hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure. We then evaluated their SPPB scores, hand grip strength, 5-m walk test time, knee extension strength, femoral muscle thickness, calf muscle thickness, thigh circumference, and calf circumference within 1 week their hospital discharge.[Results]Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that femoral thickness (standardized partial regression coefficient [SPRC] = 0.401), and age (SPRC = - 0.319) were associated with SPPB scores. The multiple regression equation was as follows: SPPB score = 13.280 + (0.325 Ö femoral thickness)- (0.123 Ö age) (r2= 0.337, p < 0.001).[Conclusions]Our results suggest that femoral muscle thickness and age can predict SPPB scores in elderly heart failure patients.
