Abstract
Aim: Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle disorder associated with decreased muscle mass and functional capacity. The SARC-F questionnaire facilitates sarcopenia screening in elderly patients. The present study investigates the applicability of the SARC-F questionnaire to sarcopenia screening in patients scheduled for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer surgery and its relationship with postoperative outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out with elderly patients scheduled for GI cancer surgery. The study included 71 patients consisting of 47 males and 24 females. The risk of sarcopenia was assessed by the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rising from a chair, Climbing stairs, and Falling (SARC-F) questionnaire. Patients with a SARC-F score ≥4 were considered to be at risk of sarcopenia. The demographic data, nutritional status and comorbidity data of the patients were recorded. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess postoperative complications in those patients at risk of sarcopenia. Results: The mean age of 71 study patients was 72.6 ± 5.6 years. There were 15 (21.1%) patients with a SARC-F score ≥ 4. The postoperative complication rate was 60% in patients with a SARC-F score ≥ 4 in comparison with 28.5% of those with a SARC-F score < 4, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.024). The SARC-F score ≥ 4 group also had a longer hospital stay (p<0.001). Furthermore, the univariate analysis for postoperative complications revealed that SARC-F scores ≥ 4, age ≥ 75 years, and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 were statistically significant. Conclusion: We believe that the SARC-F questionnaire has a place in sarcopenia screening in patients scheduled for GI surgery, and it is possible to predict postoperative adverse outcomes.
Highlights
Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle disorder associated with decreased muscle mass and functional capacity
The distribution of the NRS-2002 score ≥2 was similar between groups (p=0.49), while preoperative albumin and C-reactive protein (Crp) levels were significantly lower in the SARC-F score ≥4 group
The results of the present study revealed that 21.1% of the patients had a SARC-F score ≥4, suggesting that these patients were at risk of sarcopenia
Summary
Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle disorder associated with decreased muscle mass and functional capacity. It is common in the elderly but can occur in young people. Its definition was made by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) [1]. Sarcopenia is called primary sarcopenia when it is age related, and secondary sarcopenia when it is caused by systemic diseases such as cancer, and organ failure. Secondary sarcopenia can occur in all age groups [2]. Journal of Clinical Medicine of Kazakhstan: 2021 Volume 18, Issue 2
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