Muscle mass and exercise capacity in cancer patients after major upper gastrointestinal surgery

Abstract

Summary Background & aims Nutritional therapy has traditionally been evaluated by changes in weight and in food intake, while body composition and function may be of greater clinical significance. We investigated relationships between total body skeletal muscle mass (TBSMM), energy balance and exercise capacity in 41 patients before, 6 and 12 months after curatively intended major upper gastrointestinal surgery. Methods TBSMM and body energy content were assessed by DXA. Exercise capacity was measured on a treadmill. Energy balance was defined as the difference in body energy content at two points in time. Results During the first postoperative year average weight loss was 7% although 1 our of 3 patients remained weight stable (WS). Average TBSMM decreased significantly at 6 months (0.9 kg, p Conclusions TBSMM and exercise capacity were clearly related in cancer patients after major upper gastrointestinal surgery, as were changes in TBSMM and exercise capacity. Energy balance was not directly correlated to exercise capacity, but more WS than WL patients increased their TBSMM indicating a possible influence by energy balance.