Developing sarcopenia predicts long-term mortality after elective endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

Computed tomography -defined sarcopenia is associated with long-term survival among patients undergoing open thoracic aortic reconstruction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

As markers of sarcopenia, psoas muscle areas and indexes measured from computed tomography images have been found to predict long-term mortality in cardiothoracic as well as other surgical cohorts. Our objective was to investigate the association between psoas muscle status, taking into account muscle density in addition to area, and survival among patients undergoing open thoracic aortic reconstruction.

METHODS

This was a retrospective registry study of a total of 451 patients treated with open surgery for thoracic aortic pathology. Psoas muscle area and density were measured from preoperative computed tomography images at the L3 and L4 lumbar levels. In addition, lean psoas muscle area was calculated by averaging sex-specific values of psoas muscle area and density. The association between mortality and psoas muscle status was analyzed with adjusted Cox-regression analysis.

RESULTS

The median age of the study population was 63 (interquartile range (IQR): 53-70) years. The majority were male (74.7%, n = 337) and underwent elective procedures (58.1% n = 262). Surgery of the ascending aorta was carried out in 90% of the patients, and 15% (n = 67) had concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery. Aortic dissection was present in 34.6% (n = 156) patients. Median follow-up time was 4.3 years (IQR: 2.2-7.4). During the follow-up, 106 patients (23.5%) died, with 55.7% of deaths occurring within the first four postoperative weeks. Psoas muscle parameters were not associated with perioperative mortality, but significant independent associations with long-term mortality were observed for psoas muscle area, density, and lean psoas muscle area with hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.63 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45-0.88), 0.62 (95% CI: 0.46-0.83), and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.32-0.69), respectively (all per 1-SD increase).

CONCLUSIONS

Psoas muscle sarcopenia status is associated with long-term mortality after open thoracic aortic surgery.

Sarcopenia defined by the psoas muscle mass or quality is associated with poor survival in patients with aortic aneurysm undergoing surgery: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The impact of sarcopenia estimated by the skeletal muscle mass or quality on survival remains controversial in patients with aortic aneurysm. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between sarcopenia defined by the psoas muscle mass or quality and all-cause mortality in patients with aortic aneurysm.

METHODS

We comprehensively searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases until December 31, 2022. Studies investigating the association of CT-derived psoas muscle mass (psoas muscle area [PSA] and psoas muscle index [PMI]) or quality (lean PSA [LPSA]) with all-cause mortality in patients with aortic aneurysm undergoing surgery were included.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies reporting on 19 articles, enrolling 4767 patients were identified. A comparison of the bottom with the top psoas muscle mass, the pooled adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of all-cause mortality was 2.34 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.58-3.47). Low psoas muscle mass was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality when defined by the PSA (HR 2.01; 95% CI 1.42-2.75) or PMI (HR 2.37; 95% CI 1.24-4.55). Per 1 cm2 PMA increase conferred a 10% reduction in all-cause mortality. Patients with bottom LPMA had an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 3.27; 95% CI 1.90-5.60). Each 100 cm2 × HU LPMA increase conferred a 15% reduction in all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia defined by the low psoas muscle mass or quality independently predicts all-cause mortality in patients with aortic aneurysm. However, the overall certainty of evidence for the categorical analysis of psoas muscle mass was downgraded by the presence of publication bias and significant heterogeneity.

Comparison Between Several CT-Derived Psoas Muscle Sarcopenia Markers for Predicting Survival After Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

BACKGROUND

Multiple CT-derived measurements of sarcopenia have been described yet their relationship with survival after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair has not been properly assessed. We aimed to define and compare the relationship between several psoas CT-derived measurements and the 5-year survival after AAA repair and to evaluate their potential contribution to survival prediction.

METHODS

Preoperative CT area (TPA) and density (MTPD) of the psoas muscle at L3 were measured in 218 consecutive AAA patients electively intervened. Additional measurements were obtained by normalizing TPA by anthropometric data or L3-vertebra surface or by TPAxMTPD multiplication (lean psoas muscle area-LPMA). The association of sarcopenia markers with survival was evaluated with Cox models adjusted by age, sex, type of intervention and the Charlson Comorbidity Index, and their contribution to survival prediction assessed with the C-statistic and the Continuous Net Reclassification Index (c-NRI).

RESULTS

Sixty patients (27.5%) died during the first 5 years after surgery. There was a statistically significant and linear (spline analysis) relationship of sarcopenia markers with 5-year survival in all multivariate models, except that including LPMA. Despite this association, the inclusion of sarcopenia markers did not improve the C-statistic and moderately increased the c-NRI. None normalized sarcopenia markers performed better than TPA.

CONCLUSION

The majority of CT-derived psoas muscle measurements of sarcopenia showed a significant and independent relationship with survival after elective AAA repair. Despite this association, they did not appear to improve sufficiently our survival prediction ability to become an efficient tool for decision-making.

Effect of Sarcopenia on Mortality and Spinal Cord Ischaemia After Complex Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Sarcopenia has been related to higher mortality rates after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. This analysis aimed to assess sarcopenia related mortality and spinal cord ischaemia (SCI) at 30 days, and mortality during the available follow up, in patients with complex aortic aneurysms, managed with open or endovascular interventions.

DATA SOURCES

A search of the English literature, via Ovid, using Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL up to 15 June 2022 was done.

REVIEW METHODS

This meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines and preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD42022338079). Observational studies (2000 - 2022), with five or more patients, reporting on sarcopenia related mortality and SCI at 30 days, and midterm mortality after thoraco-abdominal aneurysm repair (open or endovascular), were eligible. The ROBINS-I tool (Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions) was used for risk of bias, and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) for the assessment of evidence quality. The primary outcome was 30 day and midterm mortality, and the secondary outcome was SCI at 30 days, in sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients. The outcomes were summarised as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Four retrospective studies (1 092 patients; 40.0% sarcopenic) were included. Thirty day mortality was similar, with low certainty between groups (6% [95% CI 1 - 11] in sarcopenic vs. 5% [95% CI 1 - 9] non-sarcopenic patients [OR 0.30, 95% CI -0.21 - 0.81; p = .94, Ι2 = 0%). The estimated midterm mortality was statistically significantly higher (very low certainty) in sarcopenic patients (25% [95% CI 0.19 - 0.31] vs. 13% [95% CI -0.03 - 0.29] in non-sarcopenic patients (1.11 OR 0.95, 95% CI -0.21 - 2.44; p < .001, Ι2 = 88.32%). SCI was significantly higher (very low certainty) in sarcopenic patients (19%, 95% CI 4 - 34) vs. 7% (95% CI 5 - 20) in non-sarcopenic patients (OR 1.80, 95% CI -0.17 - 3.78; Ι2 = 82.4%), despite an equal distribution of aneurysm type between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Early mortality does not appear to be affected by sarcopenia in patients treated for thoraco-abdominal aneurysms. However, sarcopenia may be associated with higher peri-operative SCI and midterm mortality rates.

Acute Sarcopenia after Elective and Emergency Surgery

Sarcopenia is an increasingly recognised condition of loss of muscle mass and function. The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWSOP2) updated their definition in 2018, emphasising the importance of low muscle strength in diagnosis. Acute sarcopenia has been arbitrarily defined as sarcopenia lasting less than 6 months. This review highlights the pathophysiology involved in muscle wasting following surgery, focussing on hormonal factors, inflammation, microRNAs, and oxidative stress. Biomarkers such as GDF-15, IGF-1 and various microRNAs may predict post-surgical muscle loss. The impact of existing sarcopenia on various types of surgery and incident muscle wasting following surgery is also described. The gaps in research found include the need for longitudinal studies looking in changes in muscle strength and quantity following surgery. Further work is needed to examine if biomarkers are replicated in other surgery to consolidate existing theories on the pathophysiology of muscle wasting.

Scoping review of radiologic assessment and prognostic impact of skeletal muscle sarcopenia in patients undergoing endovascular repair for aortic disease

OBJECTIVE

The primary objectives of our scoping review were to evaluate the methods used by research groups to assess the incidence of sarcopenia in patients with aortic disease and the extent of the evidence base that links sarcopenia to the survival of patients undergoing elective endovascular aortic repair and to identify the recurring themes or gaps in the literature to guide future research.

METHODS

A scoping review in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) protocols extension for scoping reviews was performed. The available studies included those fully reported in English (last query, April 30, 2022). The following PICO question was used to build the search equation: "in patients with aortic disease [population] undergoing endovascular repair [intervention], what was the prevalence and prognosis of radiologically defined sarcopenia [comparison] on the short- and long-term outcomes?"

RESULTS

A total of 31 studies were considered relevant, and 18 were included in the present scoping review. In brief, 12 studies had focused on standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), 2 on thoracic EVAR, and 4 on complex EVAR. All but two studies were retrospective in design, and only one study had included patients from a multicenter database. Sarcopenia had generally been defined using the computed tomography angiography (CTA) findings of the cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle at L3 or L4, sometimes with normalization against the height. Overall, despite the heterogeneity in the methods used for its definition, sarcopenia was highly prevalent (range, 12.5%-67.6%). The patients with sarcopenia had had higher rates of mortality (ratio ranged from 2.28 [95% confidence interval, 1.35-3.84] to 6.34 [95% confidence interval, 3.37-10.0]) and adverse events (41% vs 16%; P = .020).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia, as identified using computed tomography angiography-based measurements of the skeletal muscle mass, was prevalent among patients undergoing elective EVAR, thoracic EVAR, or complex EVAR. The presence of sarcopenia has been shown to have a negative prognostic impact, increasing the operative risk and has been linked to poorer long-term survival.

Psoas Cross-Sectional Measurements Using Manual CT Segmentation before and after Endovascular Aortic Repair (EVAR)

Sarcopenia has been associated with an increased incidence of adverse outcomes, including higher mortality, after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). We aim to use computed tomography (CT) to quantify changes in total psoas muscles area (PMA) and psoas muscle density (PMD) after EVAR, and to evaluate the reproducibility of both measurements. PMA and PMD were assessed via manual segmentation of the psoas muscle on pre- and post-operative CT scans belonging to consecutive patients who underwent EVAR. Wilcoxon test was used to compare PMA and PMD before and after EVAR, and inter- and intra-reader agreements of both methods were evaluated through Bland−Altman analysis. A total of 50 patients, 42 of them males (84%), were included in the study. PMA changes from 1243 mm2 (1006−1445 mm2) to 1102 mm2 (IQR 937−1331 mm2), after EVAR (p < 0.001). PMD did not vary between pre-EVAR (33 HU, IQR 26.5−38.7 HU) and post-EVAR (32 HU, IQR 26−37 HU, p = 0.630). At inter-reader Bland−Altman analysis, PMA showed a bias of 64.0 mm2 and a coefficient of repeatability (CoR) of 359.2 mm2, whereas PMD showed a bias of −2.43 HU and a CoR of 6.19 HU. At intra-reader Bland−Altman analysis, PMA showed a bias of −81.1 mm2 and a CoR of 394.6 mm2, whereas PMD showed a bias of 1.41 HU and a CoR of 6.36 HU. In conclusion, PMA decreases after EVAR. A good intra and inter-reader reproducibility was observed for both PMA and PMD. We thus propose to use PMA during the follow-up of patients who underwent EVAR to monitor muscle depletion after surgery.

Current Clinical Implications of Frailty and Sarcopenia in Vascular Surgery: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature and Consideration of Perioperative Management

Frailty is a well-known geriatric syndrome of impaired physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Sarcopenia is also used as a parameter of physical impairment characterized by muscle weakness. As population aging has become more prominent in recent years, both modalities are now regarded as clinically important prognostic tools defined by multidimensional factors that may affect clinical outcomes in various clinical settings. A preoperative surgical risk analysis is mandatory to predict clinical and surgical outcomes in all surgical practices, particularly in high-risk surgical patients. In vascular surgical settings, frailty and sarcopenia have been accepted as useful prognostic tools to evaluate patient characteristics before surgery, as these may predict perioperative clinical and surgical outcomes. Although minimally invasive surgical approaches, such as endovascular therapy, and hybrid approaches have been universally developed, achieving good vascular surgical outcomes for high-risk cohorts remains to be challenge due to the increasing prevalence of elderly patients and multiple preoperative co-morbidities in addition to frailty and sarcopenia. Therefore, to further improve clinical and surgical outcomes, these preoperative geriatric prognostic factors will be of great importance and interest in vascular surgical settings for both physicians and surgeons.

Preoperative sarcopenia and malnutrition are correlated with poor long-term survival after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

PURPOSE

Sarcopenia and malnutrition are often used as surrogates for frailty, which is predictive of poor prognosis after surgery. We investigated the effects of sarcopenia and malnutrition on mortality after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR).

METHODS

The subjects of this study were patients who underwent EVAR at our hospital between June 2007 and December 2013, excluding those who underwent reintervention. The psoas muscle area at the L4 level was used as an indicator of sarcopenia. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index was used as an indicator of malnutrition.

RESULTS

There were 324 patients included in the study, with a mean age of 78.1 years and a median follow-up period of 56.7 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that sarcopenia (HR, 1.79; p = .042) and malnutrition (HR, 1.78; p = .043) were independent prognostic factors. Patients with both factors were classified as the high-risk group and others were classified as the low-risk group. The survival rate was significantly lower in the high-risk group than in the low-risk groups (p < .001). Even after propensity score matching, the high-risk group had a significantly lower survival rate (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Both sarcopenia and malnutrition were associated with long-term mortality after EVAR. Patients with both indicators had a poor mid-term survival.

Effect of sarcopenia on survival and spinal cord deficit outcomes after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients 60 years of age and older

OBJECTIVE

Sarcopenia (core muscle loss) has been used as a surrogate marker of frailty. We investigated whether sarcopenia would adversely affect survival after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from patients aged 60 years or older who underwent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs from 2006 to 2016. Imaging was reviewed by 2 radiologists blinded to clinical outcomes. The total psoas index was derived from total psoas muscle cross-sectional area (cm²) at the mid-L4 level, normalized for height (m²). Patients were divided by sex-specific total psoas index values into sarcopenia (lower third) and nonsarcopenia (upper two-thirds) groups. Multivariable modeling identified operative mortality and spinal cord injury predictors. Unadjusted and adjusted survival curves were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 392 patients identified, those with sarcopenia (n = 131) were older than nonsarcopenic patients (n = 261) (70.0 years vs 68.0 years; P = .02) and more frequently presented with aortic rupture or required urgent/emergency operations. Operative mortality was comparable (sarcopenia 13.7% vs nonsarcopenia 10.0%; P = .3); sarcopenia was not associated with operative mortality in the multivariable model (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-2.77; P = .3). Sarcopenic patients experienced more frequent delayed (13.0% vs 4.6%; P = .005) and persistent (10.7% vs 3.4%; P = .008) paraplegia. Sarcopenia independently predicted delayed paraplegia (odds ratio, 3.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-7.08; P = .005) and persistent paraplegia (odds ratio, 3.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-8.13; P = .01) in the multivariable model. Adjusted for preoperative/operative covariates, midterm survival was similar for sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic patients (P = .3).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia did not influence early mortality or midterm survival after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair but was associated with greater risk for delayed and persistent paraplegia.

Sarcopenia index as a predictor of clinical outcomes in older patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is a prevalent condition in elderly patients and has been associated with adverse outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The present study aimed to determine the predictive value of serum creatinine-cystatin C ratio, that is, "Sarcopenia Index" (SI) as a surrogate marker of sarcopenia, and investigate its association with clinical outcomes after TAVR.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients undergoing TAVR between January, 2016 and December, 2018 at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Patients were excluded if <65-years old, presented previous surgical aortic valve replacement, severe chronic kidney disease, or hemodialysis requirement. The SI was obtained at baseline before TAVR. All-cause mortality and/or readmissions for congestive heart failure (CHF) were defined as the primary endpoint.

RESULTS

In total 100 patients met inclusion criteria for the purpose of the study. Sarcopenia Index was significantly correlated with Timed Up and Go (r = -0.272, p = .010) and Gait Speed (r = -0.278, p = .005). During follow-up, 5/100 patients died within 30 days and a total of 10/100 patients died at 1-year follow-up. Moreover, survival curves were significantly worse (Log-rank test = p = .02) and CHF readmissions were more prevalent in the lowest SI tertile (Log-rank test = p = .01). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, we identified low SI (cutoff ≤66) as an independent predictor of long-term adverse outcomes (HR = 4.01, 95% CI = 1.31-12.27, p = .015) at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia Index, surrogate for the degree of skeletal muscle mass (SMM), could be used as a predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing TAVR.

Statin use, development of sarcopenia, and long-term survival after endovascular aortic repair

OBJECTIVE

Statin therapy, associated with improved short-term survival after treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms, may also predispose to muscle side effects. Evidence on statin-related sarcopenia is limited mainly to muscle function, and it is subject to several sources of bias. In the long term, postoperative development of sarcopenia is linked to mortality after endovascular repair (EVAR). We investigated statin use and long-term postoperative mortality after EVAR in relation to objective measurable markers of sarcopenia (psoas muscle surface area and density).

METHODS

Altogether 216 abdominal aortic aneurysm patients treated with EVAR between 2006 and 2014 at Tampere University Hospital (Finland) were retrospectively studied. Psoas muscle parameters at the L3 level were evaluated from baseline and mainly 1- to 3-year follow-up computed tomography studies. Cox regression was used to study the association between statin medication, psoas muscle changes, and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

The majority of patients were male (87%), and the mean age was 77.7 years (standard deviation, 7.4). The median duration of follow-up was 6.3 years (interquartile range, 3.5) with a total mortality of 54.2% (n = 117). Regardless of a higher burden of comorbidities, statin users (n = 119) had lower mortality when compared with nonusers (multivariable hazard ratio [HR]: 0.69, 95% confidence interval: 0.48-0.99, P = .048). Furthermore, statin use was not associated with inferior muscle parameter values, and the relative change in psoas muscle area was actually lower in statin users compared with nonusers (-15.7% and -21.1%, P < .046).

CONCLUSIONS

Statin use is associated with lower long-term mortality among patients undergoing EVAR without predisposing to increased sarcopenia.

Unilateral Embolization of the Internal Iliac Artery for Endovascular Aortic Repair Does Not Induce Gluteal Muscle Atrophy

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effect of unilateral internal iliac artery (IIA) embolization for endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) on gluteal muscle size.

METHODS

We assessed the gluteal muscle size in 111 consecutive patients who underwent elective EVAR with unilateral IIA embolization (n = 31) or without IIA embolization (n = 80) for abdominal aortic and/or iliac artery aneurysm. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the gluteus maximus (G_max) and gluteus medius/minimus (G_med/min) was measured on computed tomography preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and final follow-up. Mean changes in the G_max and G_med/min CSA were evaluated using a mixed model analysis of variance.

RESULTS

In the patients with embolization, both the G_max and G_med/min CSA significantly decreased over time on the embolization and nonembolization sides (P < 0.001); however, embolization did not affect the changes in the G_max CSA (P = 0.64) and G_med/min CSA (P = 0.99). In the patients with embolization and those without embolization, both the G_max and G_med/min CSA significantly decreased over time (P < 0.001); however, embolization did not affect the changes in the G_max CSA (P = 0.76) and G_med/min CSA (P = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral IIA embolization was not associated with gluteal muscle atrophy after EVAR. Pre-emptive unilateral IIA embolization for EVAR seems to be an acceptable procedure in terms of maintenance of gluteal muscle size.

Influence of Internal Iliac Artery Embolization during Endovascular Aortic Repair Regarding Postoperative Sarcopenia and Midterm Survival

BACKGROUND

Postoperative sarcopenia is a risk factor for postoperative mortality. Internal iliac artery embolization (IIAE) during endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has ischemic effects on pelvic skeletal muscles because IIAE causes buttock claudication. The long-term effects of IIAE on pelvic skeletal muscle, however, have not been well investigated. We hypothesized that IIAE after EVAR induces a decrease in skeletal muscle, which leads to postoperative sarcopenia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms who underwent EVAR from 2009 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Skeletal muscle areas (SMAs) at the third lumbar level and the mid-femoral level were measured on transverse computed tomographic images. Postoperative sarcopenia was defined as a >10% decrease in the L3 SMA as established in a previous study. We assessed the association between postoperative sarcopenia and IIAE.

RESULTS

Altogether, 102 eligible patients who underwent elective EVAR comprised the study group. The L3 SMA at the 3-year follow-up evaluation was significantly smaller in patients with than without IIAE (P < 0.05). The SMAs of the psoas, lumbar, and thigh muscles were significantly smaller on the IIAE than non-IIAE side (P < 0.05). IIAE was thus revealed as an independent risk factor for postoperative sarcopenia (hazard ratio, 4.69; P = 0.008). In addition, patients who developed postoperative sarcopenia had a lower overall survival rate than those without postoperative sarcopenia (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

IIAE during EVAR is a risk factor for postoperative sarcopenia, which is in turn associated with mortality. Hence, we should preserve the internal iliac artery whenever possible. Alternatively, if IIAE is deemed necessary, we should postoperatively institute protocols to prevent sarcopenia from developing.

Prognostic value of sarcopenia in survivors of hematological malignances undergoing a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Sarcopenia is increasingly recognized as an independent risk factor for poor outcomes in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and it is a potentially modifiable factor. The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize and integrate current evidence in this field.

METHODS

We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane DSR through Ovid and PubMed websites to identify relevant studies. Studies evaluated sarcopenia before HSCT and reported associations between sarcopenia and post-transplant outcomes were included. Two authors independently applied eligibility criteria, assessed quality, and extracted data. Odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to examine the association between sarcopenia and post-transplant outcomes by using the review manager 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Seven retrospective cohort studies met our inclusion criteria. The overall quality of studies was low to moderate. Sarcopenia was associated with higher non-relapse mortality [odds ratio (OR) 1.97; 95% CI 1.45, 2.68; P < 0.0001; I² = 0%] and shorter overall survival [odds ratio (OR) 0.44; 95% CI 0.26, 0.75; P = 0.002; I² = 65%] in patients undergoing HSCT.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians could use sarcopenia to balance the risks and benefits of transplantation as early as possible; in addition, interventions can be used to prevent sarcopenia and improve physical function and quality of life. Well-designed, prospective, and large-scale clinical studies are needed to consolidate the evidence.