Abstract
L3 skeletal muscle index (L3SMI) was reportedly related to postoperative outcomes. We aimed to investigate the value of L3SMI in evaluating preoperative nutritional risk and long-term prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We retrospectively enrolled 400 CRC patients who underwent surgery from January 2012 to December 2014. The L3SMI was calculated by preoperative computed tomography (CT) and classified into two groups by gender quartile method. We found that the CT diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia in South China population was: male ≤38.89cm2/m2, female ≤33.28cm2/m2. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low L3SMI was an independent risk factor for preoperative nutritional risk (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that low status group had significantly lower disease-free survival (p = 0.004) and overall survival (p = 0.001), especially in TNM II stage. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed preoperative low L3SMI adversely affected disease-free survival (p < 0.001, HR 1.894 (95% CI: 1.330–2.698)), and overall survival (p < 0.001, HR 2.030 (95% CI: 1.420–2.902)). In conclusion, L3SMI is a useful supplement for screening preoperative nutritional risk and diagnosing sarcopenia, and a potential clinical indicator that can be used to predict the prognosis of CRC patients, especially TNM stage II patients.
Highlights
L3 skeletal muscle index (L3SMI) was reportedly related to postoperative outcomes
colorectal cancer (CRC) patients were split into four groups using different gender quartile methods of L3SMI: Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4
Many studies have shown that systemic inflammatory responses and nutritional status are closely associated with the prognosis of many malignancies[20,21]
Summary
We aimed to investigate the value of L3SMI in evaluating preoperative nutritional risk and long-term prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Skeletal muscle reduction is a key feature of sarcopenia, which is associated with poor nutrition and survival prognosis in cancer patients[7]. This study retrospectively analyzed CRC patients from a south China population in Guangxi, to establish the criteria for L3SMI diagnosis of sarcopenia. We investigated the value of L3SMI in evaluating preoperative nutrition risk status and long-term prognosis of CRC patients. These approaches might provide scientific basis for nutritional intervention and prognostic guidance for CRC patients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
