Sex-based differences in body composition and functional independence affecting discharge destination in patients undergoing convalescent rehabilitation

[Purpose] To determine sex-based differences in body composition, based on discharge destination of patients admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation unit. [Participants and Methods] A total of 135 patients admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation unit were included. Body composition, motor function subscale of the Functional Independence Measure (mFIM) score, length of stay, and mean number of rehabilitation sessions per day were measured and compared between home and non-home discharge groups. [Results] The home and non-home discharge groups comprised 112 (45 males and 67 females) and 23 (nine males and 14 females) participants, respectively. Differences were observed in phase angle (PhA), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), extracellular water to total body water ratio, and mFIM score for both sexes, based on discharge destination. Binomial logistic regression analysis with discharge destination as the dependent variable showed that the mFIM score and length of stay were influencing factors for males and females, respectively. [Conclusion] PhA and SMI are promising new tools for assessing common discharge destinations in both sexes, suggesting an impact of recovery in the mFIM score and on length of stay in male and female patients, respectively.