Frailty clinical trials at UCLA

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-mediated coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an evolutionarily unprecedented natural experiment that causes major changes to the host immune system. We propose to develop a test that accurately predicts short- and long-term (within one-year) outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients broadly reflecting US demographics who are at increased risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19 using both clinical and molecular data. We will enroll patients from a hospitalized civilian population in one of the country's largest metropolitan areas and a representative National Veteran's population.

Frailty, the decline in physical and cognitive reserves leading to vulnerability to stressors is increasingly being recognized as a public health concern. Although multiple measures exist that can identify frail patients, very little is known about how or when to intervene. Sarcopenia, or the degree of muscle wasting, is closely correlated to frailty and patient outcomes. This is a prospective cohort study of critically ill patients to identify modifiable risk factors of sarcopenia, as potential targets to reduce frailty.