Low skeletal muscle mass outperforms the Charlson Comorbidity Index in risk prediction in patients undergoing pancreatic resections

Association between preoperative sarcopenia and prognosis of pancreatic cancer after curative-intent surgery: a updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is associated with poor outcomes in many malignancies. However, the relationship between sarcopenia and the prognosis of pancreatic cancer has not been well understood. The aim of this meta-analysis was to identify the prognostic value of preoperative sarcopenia in patients with pancreatic cancer after curative-intent surgery.

METHODS

Database from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from its inception to July 2023. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and the incidence of major complications. The hazard ratio (HR), odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the relationship between preoperative sarcopenia and the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. All statistical analyses were conducted by Review Manager 5.3 and STATA 17.0 software.

RESULTS

A total of 23 retrospective studies involving 5888 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that sarcopenia was significantly associated with worse OS (HR = 1.53, P < 0.00001) and PFS (HR = 1.55, P < 0.00001). However, this association was not obvious in regard to the incidence of major complications (OR = 1.33, P = 0.11).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative sarcopenia was preliminarily proved to be associated with the terrible prognosis of pancreatic cancer after surgery. However, this relationship needs to be further validated in more prospective studies.

Sarcopenia of kidney transplant recipients as a predictive marker for reduced graft function and graft survival after kidney transplantation

PURPOSE

The association between sarcopenia of kidney transplant recipients and outcome after kidney transplantation (KT) has not yet been fully understood and is still considered controversial. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of pre-transplant sarcopenia on graft function, postoperative complication rates, and survival of the patients after renal transplantation.

METHODS

In this retrospective single-center study, all patients who underwent KT (01/2013-12/2017) were included. Demographic data, rejection rates, delayed graft function, and graft and patient survival rates were analyzed. Sarcopenia was measured in computed tomography images by the sex-adjusted Hounsfield unit average calculation (HUAC).

RESULTS

During the study period, 111 single KTs (38 women and 73 men) were performed. Living donor kidney transplants were performed in 48.6%. In total, 32.4% patients had sarcopenia. Sarcopenic patients were significantly older (59.6 years vs. 49.8 years; p < 0.001), had a higher body mass index (BMI = 27.6 kg/m2 vs. 25.0 kg/m2; p = 0.002), and were more likely to receive deceased donor kidneys (72.2% vs. 41.3%; p = 0.002). Interestingly, 3 years after KT, the creatinine serum levels were significantly higher (2.0 mg/dl vs. 1.5 mg/dl; p = 0.001), whereas eGFR (39.9 ml/min vs. 53.4 ml/min; p = 0.001) and graft survival were significantly lower (p = 0.004) in sarcopenic transplant recipients. Sarcopenic patients stayed in hospital significantly longer postoperatively than those who were non-sarcopenic.

CONCLUSIONS

At the time of kidney transplantation, sarcopenia was found to predict reduced long-term graft function and diminished graft survival after KT. The early identification of sarcopenic patients can not only enable an optimized selection of recipients, but also the initiation of pre-habilitation programs during the waiting period.

Influence of Baseline CT Body Composition Parameters on Survival in Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer death in both sexes. The aim of this study is to analyze baseline CT body composition using artificial intelligence to identify possible imaging predictors of survival. We retrospectively included 103 patients. First, the presence of surgical treatment and cut-off values for sarcopenia and obesity served as independent variates. Second, the presence of surgery, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and skeletal muscle index (SMI) served as independent variates. Cox regression analysis was performed for 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival. Possible differences between patients undergoing surgical versus nonsurgical treatment were analyzed. Presence of surgery significantly predicted 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival (p = 0.01, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). Across the follow-up periods of 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival, the presence of sarcopenia became an equally important predictor of survival (p = 0.25, 0.07, and <0.001, respectively). Additionally, increased VAT predicted 2-year and 3-year survival (p = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). The impact of sarcopenia on 3-year survival was higher in the surgical treatment group (p = 0.02 and odds ratio = 2.57) compared with the nonsurgical treatment group (p = 0.04 and odds ratio = 1.92). Fittingly, a lower SMI significantly affected 3-year survival only in patients who underwent surgery (p = 0.02). Especially if surgery is performed, AI-derived sarcopenia and reduced muscle mass are unfavorable imaging predictors.

Adverse Effects of Sarcopenic Obesity on Postoperative Complications after Major Hepatectomy in Patients with Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Sarcopenic obesity (SO), which is defined as a high ratio of visceral adipose tissue to skeletal muscle, is a well-known risk factor for post-hepatectomy outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of SO on postoperative outcomes in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCC). This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of preoperative SO on postoperative outcomes in patients with hilar CCC following major hepatectomy. Preoperative SO was assessed in 328 patients undergoing hepatectomy for hilar CCC at three institutions between 2006 and 2016. SO was calculated from cross-sectional visceral fat and muscle area displayed on preoperative CT imaging. Preoperative SO was present in 98 patients (29.9%). The major complication rate in patients with SO was higher than in those without SO (54.1% vs. 37.0%, p = 0.004). Additionally, postoperative hospital stays were prolonged in patients with SO (18.5 vs. 16.5 days, p = 0.038). After multivariable analysis, SO was identified as an independent risk factor for major complications after hepatectomy in hilar CCC patients (OR = 0.866, 95% CI: 1.148–3.034, p = 0.012). Careful postoperative management is needed after major hepatectomy in hilar CCC patients with SO.

Evaluation of the Potential Risk of Mortality from SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Hospitalized Patients According to the Charlson Comorbidity Index

Background: The pandemic of COVID-19 has represented a major threat to global public health in the last century and therefore to identify predictors of mortality among COVID-19 hospitalized patients is widely justified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible usefulness of Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) as mortality predictor in patients hospitalized because COVID-19. Methods: This study was carried out in Zacatecas, Mexico, and it included 705 hospitalized patients with suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical data were collected, and the CCI score was calculated online using the calculator from the Sociedad Andaluza de Medicina Intensiva y Unidades Coronarias; the result was evaluated as mortality predictor among the patients with COVID-19. Results: 377 patients were positive for SARS-COV-2. Obesity increased the risk of intubation among the study population (odds ratio (OR) = 2.59; 95 CI: 1.36–4.92; p = 0.003). The CCI values were higher in patients who died because of COVID-19 complications than those observed in patients who survived (p < 0.001). Considering a CCI cutoff > 31.69, the area under the ROC curve was 0.75, with a sensitivity and a specificity of 63.6% and 87.7%, respectively. Having a CCI value > 31.69 increased the odds of death by 12.5 times among the study population (95% CI: 7.3–21.4; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The CCI is a suitable tool for the prediction of mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The presence of comorbidities in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 reflected as CCI > 31.69 increased the risk of death among the study population, so it is important to take precautionary measures in patients due to their condition and their increased vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The Role of Sarcopenia and Myosteatosis in Short- and Long-Term Outcomes Following Curative-Intent Surgery for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a European Cohort

Simple Summary

Recent studies have shown that pathological changes of body composition, in particular reduced muscle mass (sarcopenia) and impaired muscle quality (myosteatosis), are linked to poor outcomes in a variety of clinical conditions. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary malignant tumor of the liver in the Western hemisphere and remains a prominent cause of cancer-associated mortality. The present study investigates the prognostic value of alterations in body composition in predicting perioperative morbidity, mortality and long-term oncological outcome in HCC using preoperative computed-tomography-based segmentation. Our study found supporting evidence for the relevance of muscle quality over quantity in a European population and verifies the predictive role of myosteatosis in patients suffering from HCC, with a particularly significant value in the earlier perioperative phase.

Abstract

Alterations of body composition, especially decreased muscle mass (sarcopenia) and impaired muscle quality (myosteatosis), are associated with inferior outcomes in various clinical conditions. The data of 100 consecutive patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at a German university medical centre were retrospectively analysed (May 2008–December 2019). Myosteatosis and sarcopenia were evaluated using preoperative computed-tomography-based segmentation. We investigated the predictive role of alterations in body composition on perioperative morbidity, mortality and long-term oncological outcome. Myosteatotic patients were significantly inferior in terms of major postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ 3b; 25% vs. 5%, p = 0.007), and myosteatosis could be confirmed as an independent risk factor for perioperative morbidity in multivariate analysis (odds ratio: 6.184, confidence interval: 1.184–32.305, p = 0.031). Both sarcopenic and myosteatotic patients received more intraoperative blood transfusions (1.6 ± 22 vs. 0.3 ± 1 units, p = 0.000; 1.4 ± 2.1 vs. 0.3 ± 0.8 units, respectively, p = 0.002). In terms of long-term overall and recurrence-free survival, no statistically significant differences could be found between the groups, although survival was tendentially worse in patients with reduced muscle density (median survival: 41 vs. 60 months, p = 0.223). This study confirms the prognostic role of myosteatosis in patients suffering from HCC with a particularly strong value in the perioperative phase and supports the role of muscle quality over quantity in this setting. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Prognostic Impact of Sarcopenia in Patients with Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer

The clinical value of sarcopenia has not been determined yet in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). We retrospectively evaluated data of 70 consecutive patients with mHSPC receiving treatment with either early docetaxel (n = 42) or abiraterone acetate (n = 28) between July 2018 and April 2021. Skeletal muscle index was calculated from cross-sectional areas of skeletal muscle on baseline computed tomography (CT), defining sarcopenia as a skeletal muscle index of ≤52.4 cm²/m². Failure-free survival (FFS), radiographic progression-free survival, and time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences in survival probability were compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors of clinical outcomes. Patients with sarcopenia (n = 47) had shorter FFS than those without sarcopenia (n = 23) (median, 20.1 months vs. not reached; log-rank p < 0.001). Sarcopenia was independently associated with shorter FFS (hazard ratio (HR), 6.69; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.57-28.49; p = 0.010) and time to PSA progression (HR, 12.91; 95% CI, 1.08-153.85; p = 0.043). In conclusion, sarcopenia is an independent prognostic factor for poor FFS and time to PSA progression in patients with mHSPC who receive early docetaxel or abiraterone acetate treatment.

Body composition in relation to postoperative anastomotic leakage and overall survival in patients with esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Body composition was reported to be related to the prognosis of patients with cancer. This study aimed to investigate the influence of preoperative body composition on anastomotic leakage and overall survival in patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 93 patients with esophageal cancers were evaluated. Skeletal muscle area, intermuscular adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue were measured on computed tomography images at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. Subsequently, each body composition index was also calculated by dividing the body composition by the square of the height. The cut-off values of body compositions were defined using X-tile software (version 3.6.1; Yale University, New Haven, CTA). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the risk factors of anastomotic leakage. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the risk factors of overall survival.

RESULTS

VAT and visceral fat index (VFI) were higher in patients with anastomotic fistula than in those without anastomotic fistula, but none of them were independent risk factors. Patients with higher body mass index (BMI), higher VFI, and higher subcutaneous fat index (SFI) had better overall survival. By multivariate analysis, SFI >27.6 cm²/m² was still significantly associated with overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Patients with higher VAT and VFI were prone to have an anastomotic leakage. Lower BMI, VFI, and SFI were associated with a reduction in overall survival.

Use of comorbidity indices in patients with any cancer, breast cancer, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive breast cancer: A systematic review

Objective

To identify comorbidity indices that have been validated in cancer populations, with a focus on breast cancer and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer.

Study design and setting

A systematic review of the literature on the use of comorbidity indices in any cancer, breast cancer, and HER2+ breast cancer using Ovid and PubMed.

Results

The final data set comprised 252 articles (252 any cancer, 39 breast cancer, 7 HER2+ breast cancer). The most common cancers assessed were hematologic and breast, and the most common comorbidity index used was the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) or a CCI derivative. Most validity testing of comorbidity indices used predictive validity based on survival outcomes. Hazard ratios for survival outcomes generally found that a higher comorbidity burden (measured by CCI) increased mortality risk in patients with breast cancer. All breast-cancer studies that validated comorbidity indices used CCI-based indices. Only one article validated a comorbidity index in HER2+ breast cancer.

Conclusion

CCI-based indices are the most appropriate indices to use in the general breast-cancer population. There is insufficient validation of any comorbidity index in HER2+ breast cancer to provide a recommendation, indicating a future need to validate these instruments in this population.

A Low Total Psoas Muscle Area Index Is a Strong Prognostic Factor in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

OBJECTIVES

The total psoas area index (TPI) is an emerging alternative to the total skeletal muscle area index as a prognostic factor but has never been evaluated in metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC).

METHODS

Areas were manually recorded, as previously described. Sex-specific cutoffs were identified by optimum stratification of TPI using log-rank χ2 statistic associated with mortality to define sarcopenic psoas. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary objectives. Two period groups were used as internal validation.

RESULTS

During the period study, 79 patients were treated for mPC. The TPI was correlated with PFS (hazards ratio, 0.81; P = 0.02) and OS (hazards ratio, 0.7; P < 0.001). Optimum thresholds defining sarcopenic psoas were less than 5.73 cm2/m2 in men and less than 4.37 cm2/m2 in women. Patients with sarcopenic psoas (62.0%) had shorter median PFS (2.9 months) compared with the others (6.6 months, adjusted P log-rank = 0.01), independently to the intensity of chemotherapy, weight loss, and performance status greater than 1. Similarly, OS was independently shorter in patients with sarcopenic psoas (7.6 months) versus the others (22.2 months, adjusted P < 0.001). These results were confirmed in the 2 period groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A low TPI is a stronger independent prognostic factor in mPC.

A 10-Year Prevalence Survey and Clinical Features Analysis of Pressure Injury in a Tertiary Hospital in China, 2009-2018

OBJECTIVE

To describe the 10-year prevalence of pressure injury (PI) in a tertiary hospital in China and determine the clinical characteristics of inpatients with PI.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of PI cases extracted from the electronic health record of a tertiary hospital. The trend of PI prevalence over 10 years was described by estimating the average percent change (EAPC). Comorbidities were described with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). The clinical characteristics of PI were described using the number of cases and composition ratio.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of PI was 0.59% (5,838/986,404). From 2009 to 2018, the rate increased from 0.19% to 1.00% (EAPC = 22.46%). When stage I PIs were excluded, the prevalence of PI ranged from 0.15% to 0.79% (EAPC = 21.90%). The prevalence of hospital-acquired PI was 0.13%. Prevalence increased with age (Ptrend < .001) and was significantly higher in men than women (P < .001). Patients with PI were more widely distributed in the ICU (20.58%), vasculocardiology department (11.73%), gastroenterology department (10.18%), and OR (8.29%). Of patients with PI, 71.3% had a CCI score 4 or higher.

CONCLUSIONS

The PI prevalence in the study facility increased rapidly over the study period. Pressure injuries among patients in the gastroenterology department and in the community deserve more attention. The CCI may be a good indicator for PI risk assessment.

Body composition, muscle function and biochemical values in patients after pancreatic surgery: An observational study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The complex nature of pancreatic operation makes it a high-risk and technically demanding major abdominal procedure, resulting in early pathophysiological alterations. This study aims to observe changes in body composition, muscle function and biochemical values in patients during the early postoperative days (PODs) following pancreaticoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy.

METHODS

Assessment of body composition by bioimpedance spectroscopy, muscle function by peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and maximum handgrip strength (HGS), and biochemical values were measured in patients the day before surgery and on PODs 3, 6 and 9.

RESULTS

Significant changes occurred among 34 patients on POD 3 in body weight +2.3 (0.8-3.6) kg, total body water +2.8 (1.1-5.9) L, extracellular water +2.5 (1.2-3.7) L, intracellular water +1.1 (-0.4-1.9) L, phase angle -1.0 (-1.2 to -0.7)°, PEFR -250.0 (-407.5 to -125.0) L/m and HGS -4.8 (-7.3 to -3.0) kg, C-reactive protein +78.0 (41.0-102.8) mg/L, haemoglobin -34.5 (-45.8 to -26.0) g/L, albumin -12 (-16.5 to -10.0) g/L.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in water distribution, phase angle, initial reduced muscle function and altered biochemical values were observed during the first 9 PODs.

Computed tomography-derived body composition analysis in patients with advanced cancer: clinical utility and future research

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With weight loss increasingly occurring against a background of obesity across a variety of advanced cancers, there has been increasing interest in computed tomography (CT)-derived body composition analysis. Various imaging software packages and thresholds are commonly in use in CT-derived body composition analysis. This review discusses the current research in field of body composition with emphasis on the information required for such measurements to be taken into routine clinical practice.

RECENT FINDINGS

CT is widely used for tumour staging in patients with cancer. Over the last decade, this imaging modality has been exploited to make measurements of body composition. Using a common landmark (L3) several different thresholds have been developed to stratify adipose and muscle tissue areas according to age, sex and BMI and their relationship with survival. A significant relationship between CT-derived body composition and clinical outcomes has been shown in different tumour types and geographical locations. However, there is considerable variation with methods, thresholds and muscle groups used for analysis. Therefore, there would appear to be a need to develop reliable methodology and population-specific reference ranges to guide clinical interpretation and enable routine clinical use.

SUMMARY

There has been an explosion of clinical research interest in CT-derived body composition analysis. Such body composition analysis provides important host phenotype information which has prognostic value. For CT-derived body composition to be fit for use in routine clinical practice, there is need for universally accepted terminology, software, muscle group selection, prognostic thresholds to standardize such body composition analysis.

The effect of sarcopenia on perioperative complications in abdominally based free-flap breast reconstruction

PURPOSE

The identification of patient-specific risk factors, which predict morbidity following abdominally based microvascular breast reconstruction is difficult. Sarcopenia is a proxy for patient frailty and is an independent predictor of complications in a myriad of surgical disciplines. We predict that sarcopenic patients will be at higher risk for surgical complications following abdominally based microvascular breast reconstruction.

METHODS

A retrospective study of all patients who underwent delayed abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction following postmastectomy radiation therapy from 2007 to 2013 at a single institution was conducted. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the effect of sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

Two hundred and eight patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 30 met criteria for sarcopenia (14.1%). There were no significant differences in demographics between groups. There were no significant differences in minor (36.7% vs 44.4%; P = .43) or major (16.7% vs 25.3%; P = .36) complications between groups as well as hospital length of stay. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that a staged reconstruction with the use of a tissue expander was the only consistent variable, which predicted major complications (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.18-4.64; P = .015).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia does not predispose to minor or major surgical complications in patients who undergo abdominally based microsurgical breast reconstruction.

Low skeletal muscle mass and postoperative morbidity in surgical oncology: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia might function as an indicator for frailty, and as such as a risk factor for the development of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to meta-analyse the relation between preoperative sarcopenia and the development of severe postoperative complications in patients undergoing oncological surgery.

METHODS

PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched from inception until May 2018. Included were studies reporting on the incidence of severe postoperative complications and radiologically determined preoperative sarcopenia. Studies reporting the skeletal muscle as a continuous variable only were excluded. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. Random effect meta-analyses were applied to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for severe postoperative complications, defined as Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3, including 30-day mortality. Heterogeneity was evaluated with I2 testing. Analyses were performed overall and stratified by measurement method, tumour location and publication date.

RESULTS

A total of 1924 citations were identified, and 53 studies (14 295 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. When measuring the total skeletal muscle area, 43% of the patients were sarcopenic, versus 33% when measuring the psoas area. Severe postoperative complications were present in 20%, and 30-day mortality was 3%. Preoperative sarcopenia was associated with an increased risk of severe postoperative complications (ORpooled : 1.44, 95% CI: 1.24-16.8, P<0.001, I2 =55%) and 30-day mortality (ORpooled : 2.15, 95% CI: 1.46-3.17, P<0.001, I2 =14%). A low psoas mass was a stronger predictor for severe postoperative complications compared with a low total skeletal muscle mass (ORpooled : 2.06, 95% CI: 1.37-3.09, ORpooled : 1.32, 95% CI: 1.14-1.53, respectively) and 30-day mortality [ORpooled : 6.17 (95% CI: 2.71-14.08, ORpooled : 1.80 (95% CI: 1.24-2.62), respectively]. The effect was independent of tumour location and publication date.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of low psoas mass prior to surgery, as an indicator for sarcopenia, is a common phenomenon and is a strong predictor for the development of postoperative complications. The presence of low total skeletal muscle mass, which is even more frequent, is a less informative predictor for postoperative complications and 30-day mortality. The low heterogeneity indicates that the finding is consistent over studies. Nevertheless, the value of sarcopenia relative to other assessments such as frailty screening is not clear. Research is needed in order to determine the place of sarcopenia in future preoperative risk stratification.

Body composition assessment and sarcopenia in patients with pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have suggested an association between sarcopenia in pancreatic cancer and adverse outcomes. This systematic review examines the evidence for the impact of sarcopenia on post-operative complications and survival METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify randomised and non-randomised studies of sarcopenia in pancreatic cancer. Meta-analyses of intra- and post-operative outcomes were performed (operating time, all complications, major complications, pancreatic fistulae, peri-operative mortality, overall survival).

RESULTS

Forty-two studies reported the assessment of body composition in 7619 patients. Methods used to assess body composition in patients with pancreatic cancers were computerized tomography (n = 34), bioelectrical impedance analysis (n = 7), and dual-energy-X-ray-absorptiometry (n = 1). Only 10 studies reported the impact of pre-operative sarcopenia upon post-operative outcomes. Sarcopenia was associated with increased peri-operative mortality (OR: 2.40, CI_95%:1.19-4.85, p < 0.01) and decreased overall survival by univariable (HR: 1.95, CI_95%:1.35-2.81, p < 0.001) and multivariable analysis (HR: 1.78, CI_95%:1.54-2.05). Sarcopenia was not significantly associated with all complications (OR: 0.96, CI_95%:0.78-1.19) or pancreatic fistula (OR: 0.95, CI_95%: 0.59-1.54).

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of sarcopenia in pancreatic cancer provides prognostic value but, more importantly, may provide a basis for therapeutic intervention. However, variation in the methods of assessing and reporting sarcopenia in this patient group limits the assessment of post-operative outcomes currently.

Combined test of third lumbar skeletal muscle index and prognostic nutrition index improve prognosis prediction power in resected colorectal cancer liver metastasis

Background: In this paper, we aim to explore clinical value of skeletal muscle index (SMI) and prognostic nutrition index (PNI) on resected colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM).

Results: Among the 539 patients, 355 were males. Baseline lower SMI was associated with smaller BMI, smaller PNI, smaller pre-albumin and longer hospitalization days (P<0.05). Patients with lower SMI and PNI had significantly shorter duration of PFS and OS (P<0.05). SMI can reflect the postoperative treatment response. Postoperative 6-month’s and 12-month’s SMI and PNI can indicate overall prognosis. When combined SMI and PNI, prognostic AUC of ROC curves improved significantly.

Conclusion: Combined monitor of SMI and PNI can improve the power at predicting prognosis. Postoperative 6-month’s record of SMI and PNI was more accurate and predictive for CRLM prognosis.

Method: A total of 539 resected CRLM patients between January 2013 to December 2016 with complete clinical data were included. Computed tomography image was collected from each patient. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed; area under curves (AUC) were also determined. All clinical variables were analyzed in proper way.

The 2019 ESPEN Arvid Wretlind lecture perioperative nutritional and metabolic care: Patient-tailored or organ-specific approach?

BACKGROUND & AIM

The perioperative severe changes in the nutritional and metabolic homeostasis are, by some means, proportional to the extent of tissue injury and magnitude of operative trauma. An adequate qualitative and quantitative replacement of nutritional substrates are of utmost importance to facilitate proper tissue healing and recovery and maintenance of organ function after surgery.

METHODS

The present manuscript has been planned to put the most recent research of the Milano-Bicocca University surgical working group in the context of a more personalized nutritional therapy and metabolic care for surgical patients. Particular prominence has been given to major pancreatic resections because these surgeries are among the most complex and challenging operations for the degree of parenchyma resection and tissue dissection, the consequent overall injury, and the fairly high rate of major complications resulting in a catabolic response.

RESULTS

Anthropometric parameters and particularly sarcopenia, visceral obesity - and their relative proportion -, are strongly associated with poor outcome after pancreatic surgery. Adequate perioperative nutritional therapy is of utmost importance in affecting morbidity. Long-term nutritional and metabolic sequelae, caused by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, need to be promptly recognized and treated with an adequate enzyme supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is strong evidence sustaining the necessity of proper perioperative metabolic and nutritional care into the management of patients undergoing major pancreatic surgery.

Associations between skeletal muscle mass index, nutritional and functional status of patients with oesophago-gastric cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Cancer patients frequently suffer from disease-related malnutrition and functional decline. The aim of the current study is to investigate the association between traditional methods of nutritional assessment (unintentional weight loss, Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment, anthropometric measurements), functional assessment and muscle mass assessment in oesophago-gastric cancer patients prior to surgery.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed in 108 consecutive patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer who were admitted for surgery in the First Department of Surgery, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, Greece. The assessment of muscle mass was based on preoperative Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI) values. The assessment of malnutrition was based on the Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment, whereas laboratory markers and anthropometric measurements were also recorded. Muscle strength and physical performance were evaluated by measuring patients' handgrip strength and gait speed respectively.

RESULTS

76.8% of the study sample were severely malnourished and moderately or suspected of being malnourished, while the prevalence of low muscle mass was 49.1%. Age was significantly higher in low SMI patients compared to normal SMI individuals (67.2 ± 9.2 vs 60 ± 10.8, p < 0.001). Albumin was significantly lower in low SMI compared to normal SMI patients, as well as BMI, mid-upper arm circumference, calf circumference and corrected mid arm muscle area. Moreover, malnourished patients exhibited higher rates of low muscle mass (57.8% vs 42.2%, p = 0.022) than well-nourished patients. SMI was also significantly correlated with patients' handgrip strength and gait speed.

CONCLUSIONS

Low muscle mass is strongly correlated with malnutrition and should be taken into consideration when evaluating the nutritional status of patients with oesophago-gastric cancer.

Sarcopenia Is a Risk Factor for Infection for Patients Undergoing Abdominoperineal Resection and Flap-based Reconstruction

Abdominoperineal resection (APR) carries a high risk of morbidity. Preoperative risk assessment can help with patient counseling, minimize adverse outcomes, and guide surgeons in their choice of reconstruction. This study examined the impact of sarcopenia (low lean muscle mass) on postoperative complications after APR.

Increased hospital costs are associated with low skeletal muscle mass in patients undergoing elective open aortic surgery

OBJECTIVE

Low psoas muscle area is shown to be an indicator for worse postoperative outcome in patients undergoing vascular surgical. Additionally, it has been associated with longer durations of hospital stay in patients with cancer who undergo surgery and subsequently greater health care costs in Europe and the United States. We sought to evaluate this effect on hospital expenditure for patients undergoing vascular repair in a health care system with universal access.

METHODS

Skeletal muscle mass was assessed on preoperative abdominal computed tomography scans of patients undergoing open aortic aneurysm repair in a retrospective fashion. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was used to define low muscle mass. Health care costs were obtained for all patients and the relationship between a low SMI and higher costs was explored using linear regression and cross-sectional analysis.

RESULTS

We included 156 patients (81.5% male) with a median age of 72 years undergoing elective surgery for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm in this analysis. The median SMI for patients with low skeletal muscle mass was 53.21 cm²/kg and for patients without, 70.07 cm²/kg. Hospital duration of stay was 2 days longer in patients with low skeletal muscle mass as compared with patients with normal (14 days vs 11 days; P = .001), as was duration of intensive care stay (3 days vs 1 day; P = .01). The median overall hospital costs were €10,460 higher for patients with a low SMI as compared with patients with a normal physical constitution (€53,739 [interquartile range, €45,007-€62,471] vs €43,279 [interquartile range, €39,509-€47,049]; P = .001). After confounder adjustment, a low SMI was associated with a 14.68% cost increase in overall hospital costs, for a cost increase of €6521.

CONCLUSIONS

Low skeletal muscle mass is independently associated with higher hospital as well as intensive care costs in patients undergoing elective aortic aneurysm repair. Strategies to reduce this risk factor are warranted for these patients.