Skeletal Muscle Index is a useful tool for the nutritional assessment of patients with pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancer

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Background: We aim to examine the association of skeletal muscle index (SMI) with traditional methods of nutritional assessment, anthropometric measurements and hand grip strength in pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancer patients. Methods: The study sample consisted of 49 patients (24 men, 25 women) with pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancer who were admitted for surgery in the First Department of Surgery, Laikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece between September 2015 and January 2017. The preoperative nutritional assessment was based on albumin and Total Lymphocyte Count (TLC), whereas anthropometric measurements included Body Mass Index(BMI), Waist Circumference(WC), Hip Circumference(HC), Mid Arm Muscle Circumference(MAMC), Corrected Mid Arm Muscle Area(cMAMA) and Calf Circumference (CC). Hand Grip Strength(HS) was measured using dynamometer and SMI was derived from analysis of CT scans. Results: The mean SMI in men was 48,81 cm2/m2 and in women 38,94 cm2/m2 (p < 0,05). SMI was positively correlated with albumin(r = 0,439, p < 0,05), WC(r = 0,590, p < 0,01), HC(r = 0,423, p < 0,05), MAMC(r = 0,436, p < 0,05), cMAMA(r = 0,399,p < 0,05), CC(r = 0,531,p < 0,01), HS dominant hand (r = 0,671,p < 0,01) and HS non dominant hand (r = 0,694,p < 0,01). On the other hand, TLC and BMI showed no significant correlation with SMI. Conclusion: Preoperative SMI measurement seems to be a useful tool in order to detect malnourished/sarcopenic patients with pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancer.