Correction: Shinohara et al. Relationship Between Diaphragm Function and Sarcopenia Assessed by Ultrasound: A Cross-Sectional Study. Diagnostics 2025, 15, 90

Abstract

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Upon reviewing our original publication [1], we noticed some minor errors in the text, so we would like to request a few corrections. These are localized errors and do not affect our analytical results or conclusions.

1. Text Correction in Abstract

There was an error in the Abstract of the original publication. We had mistakenly reported values calculated from a total of 148 registered cases. Although 148 cases were registered, sarcopenia assessments could not be conducted in 10 of them, resulting in a final analysis of 138 cases. We have also corrected the reported age and gender proportions to reflect calculations based on the 138 analyzable cases. We have confirmed that this correction does not affect any other results.

A correction has been made to the results part of the Abstract:

Abstract: Background/Objectives: The diaphragm is important for respiration, but the effects of age-related muscle loss and sarcopenia on diaphragm function are unclear. We evaluated the associations of sarcopenia and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) with diaphragm function. Methods: This study was conducted at three Japanese hospitals from May 2023 to September 2024. The participants underwent bioelectrical impedance for SMM assessment, as well as pulmonary function tests. Diaphragm ultrasound was used to measure the thickness at functional residual capacity (FRC), thickening fraction (TF), and diaphragm excursion (DE) during deep breathing (DB), and their associations with sarcopenia and low skeletal muscle index (SMI) were analyzed. Results: Overall, 138 patients (mean age 78.0 years; sarcopenia, n = 35; non-sarcopenia, n = 103) were included. No statistically significant differences in thickness (FRC), TF and DE were observed between the sarcopenia group and the non-sarcopenia group. The low SMI group had significantly lower thickness (difference −0.22, 95% CI; −0.41, −0.29) and DE (difference −9.2, 95%CI; −14.0, −4.49) than the normal SMI group. Multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and stature revealed no association between thickness (FRC) and sarcopenia (p = 0.98), but thickness (FRC) was negatively associated with low SMI (p = 0.034). DE during DB was negatively associated with sarcopenia (p = 0.024) and low SMI (p = 0.001). TF showed no associations. Conclusions: DE during DB was reduced in patients with sarcopenia and low SMI, and thickness (FRC) was reduced in those with low SMI without sarcopenia.

2. Text Correction in Results

There was an error in the original publication. The reported age and female proportion contain errors.

A correction has been made to the Results, paragraph 1:

The mean participant age was 78.0 (standard deviation of 6.9) years, and 52.2% of the participants were female. There were no significant differences in sex, Brinkman Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Barthel Index, stature, forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio, and peak expiratory flow rate between the sarcopenia group and the non-sarcopenia group. The sarcopenia group was older and had a lower Mini-Mental State Examination score, lower body mass, lower grip strength, and slower walking speed than the non-sarcopenia group. Additionally, the percent vital capacity, as an indicator of respiratory function, was lower in the sarcopenia group (Table 1).

3. Error in Tables 1–5

In the original publication, there was a mistake in “Table 1. Participants’ characteristics” as published. There was one “No answer” response regarding smoking history in the non-sarcopenia group, but it was not reflected in the table. The corrected Table 1 appears below.

In the original publication, there was a mistake in “Table 2. Comparison of diaphragm thickness, thickening fraction, and diaphragm excursion between non-sarcopenia and sarcopenia groups.” as published. The values had not been correctly rounded, so we corrected them (e.g., from 0.021 to 0.02). The corrected Table 2 appears below.

In the original publication, there was a mistake in “Table 3(b). Multiple regression analysis for each right hemidiaphragm measurement with adjustment for independent variables.” as published. The values had not been correctly rounded, and we have now corrected the rounding error (e.g., from 0.86 to 0.85). The corrected Table 3(b) appears below.

In the original publication, there was a mistake in “Table 4. Comparison of diaphragm thickness, thickening fraction, and diaphragm excursion between normal SMI and low SMI groups.” as published. Incorrect values were mistakenly input into the “Total” column during the data transfer process. We have corrected these errors and confirmed that all other values in the table are accurate. The corrected Table 4 appears below.

In the original publication, there was a mistake in “Table 5(b). Multiple regression analysis for each right hemidiaphragm measurement with adjustment for independent variables” as published. Incorrect coefficient and p-value results were recorded for Age and FRC during data transfer, and these have now been corrected. Additionally, the coefficients for the thickening fraction and low SMI were not properly rounded, so we revised them (e.g., from 17.1 to 17.2). Furthermore, during communication with the Editorial Office, the “Stature” item in Table 5(b) was mistakenly deleted; this has also been corrected. The corrected Table 5(b) appears below.

The authors state that their scientific conclusions are unaffected. This correction was approved by the Academic Editor. The original publication has also been updated.