Low Skeletal Muscle Radiodensity Research Articles

Low skeletal muscle radiodensity is a risk factor for adjuvant chemotherapy discontinuation in colorectal cancer.

Previously, we reported SMR (skeletal muscle radiodensity) as a potential prognostic marker for colorectal cancer. However, there have been limited studies on the association between SMR and the continuation of adjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. In this retrospective study, 143 colorectal cancer patients underwent curative surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy using the CAPOX regimen. Patients' SMRs were measured from preoperative CT images and divided into low (bottom quarter) and high (top three quarters) SMR groups. We compared chemotherapy cycles, capecitabine and oxaliplatin doses, and adverse effects in each group. The low SMR group had significantly fewer patients completing adjuvant chemotherapy compared to the high SMR group (44% vs. 68%, P < 0.01). Capecitabine and oxaliplatin doses were also lower in the low SMR group. Incidences of Grade 2 or Grade 3 adverse effects did not differ between groups, but treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects was significantly higher in the low SMR group. Logistic regression analysis revealed Stage III disease (odds ratio 18.09, 95% CI 1.41-231.55) and low SMR (odds ratio 3.26, 95% CI 1.11-9.56) as factors associated with unsuccessful treatment completion. Additionally, a higher proportion of low SMR patients received fewer than 2 cycles of chemotherapy (50% vs. 12%). The low SMR group showed higher treatment incompletion rates and received lower drug doses during adjuvant chemotherapy. Low SMR independently contributed to treatment non-completion in colorectal cancer patients.

Combined impact of myosteatosis and liver steatosis on prognosis in stage I-III colorectal cancer patients.

Myosteatosis and liver steatosis (LS) have been recognized as patient-derived image biomarkers that correlate with prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, the significance of considering fat deposition in multiple body areas simultaneously has been underestimated. This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of myosteatosis and LS in stage I-III CRC patients. A total of 616 stage I-III CRC patients were included in the study. Myosteatosis was assessed using skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD), and LS was estimated by calculating the Hounsfield unit of the liver and spleen ratio (LSR). Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to evaluate disease-free survival (DFS). A combination of myosteatosis and LS was proposed, and its discriminatory performance was compared using the C-index. Among the 616 participants, the median (interquartile) age was 64 (55-72) years, and 240 (38.9%) were female. The median and interquartile range of LSR were determined as 1.106 (0.967-1.225). The optimal cutoff value for LSR was identified as 1.181, leading to the classification of patients into low (410, 66.5%) and high LSR (206, 33.4%) groups. Among the patients, 200 were categorized into the low SMD group, while 416 were allocated to the high SMD group. Both myosteatosis and LS were identified as independent prognostic factors in the multivariable analysis. The combination of these two variables resulted in a three-group classification: high SMD with low LSR group, high SMD with high LSR group, and low SMD group. When comparing the C-index values, the three-group classification exhibited superior discriminatory performance compared with considering myosteatosis and LS separately. Myosteatosis was associated with poorer survival, while the presence of LS was linked to a better prognosis in non-metastatic CRC patients. Simultaneously considering fat infiltration can serve as a more effective prognosticator in non-metastatic CRC patients.

Different computed tomography parameters for defining myosteatosis in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Myosteatosis, excess muscle fat infiltration, is a novel prognostic factor in cancer patients. To define myosteatosis, skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) is most commonly used, while intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) is newly introduced. We aimed to compare SMD-defined and IMAT-defined myosteatosis for predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to explore whether patients with both low SMD and high IMAT had a shorter OS than patients with low SMD or high IMAT alone. We consecutively and prospectively recruited adult patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC at a teaching hospital. The mean SMD of all skeletal muscle areas and the area of IMAT on the unenhanced chest computed tomography (CT) images at the 12th thoracic vertebral level were segmented using Mimics version 21.0. Myosteatosis was defined by either low SMD (SMD-defined myosteatosis) or high IMAT (IMAT-defined myosteatosis). The optimal cutoffs for low SMD and high IMAT were also determined using the maximally selected rank statistics method. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the associations of OS with low SMD, high IMAT, and a combination of them. We included 565 patients (345 men and 220 women; mean age 58.5±9.0 years). Lower IMAT exhibited a tendency toward a favorable prognosis in men (p=0.0015) and women (p<0.0001); whereas higher SMD tended to have a favorable prognosis in men (p=0.0006) and women (p<0.0001). At baseline, 423 (74.9%) participants had high IMAT, 432 (76.5%) participants had low SMD and 370 (65.5%) participants had both high IMAT and low SMD. Compared to those without either high IMAT or low SMD, the participants with either high IMAT or low SMD had a shorter OS, while the participants with both High IMAT and Low SMD had the shortest OS (log-rank p<0.0001). After adjustment for the same confounders, high IMAT (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.10-1.87) and low SMD (HR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.36-2.43) were separately associated with poor prognosis. Moreover, the combination of high IMAT and low SMD indicated a higher risk of poor prognosis (HR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.62-3.66). Both SMD-defined and IMAT-defined myosteatosis are highly prevalent in patients with advanced NSCLC and may serve as independent prognostic factors for OS. The diagnosis of myosteatosis might consider a combination of low SMD and high IMAT because this would help identify patients at a higher risk of mortality.

Establishment and validation of novel nomograms to predict muscle quality in colorectal cancer patients

ObjectivesThe skeletal muscle mass index and skeletal muscle radiodensity have promise as specific diagnostic indicators for muscle quality. However, the difficulties in measuring low skeletal muscle mass index and low skeletal muscle radiodensity limit their use in routine clinical practice, impeding early screening and diagnosis. The objective of this study is to develop a nomogram that incorporates preoperative factors for predicting low skeletal muscle mass index and low skeletal muscle radiodensity. MethodsA total of 1692 colorectal cancer patients between 2015 and 2021 were included. The patients were randomly divided into a training cohort (n = 1353) and a validation cohort (n = 339). Nomogram models were calibrated using the area under the curve, calibration curves, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test to assess their predictive ability. Finally, a decision curve was applied to assess the clinical usefulness. ResultsIn a prediction model for low skeletal muscle mass index, age, body mass index, and grip strength were incorporated as variables. For low skeletal muscle radiodensity, age, sex, body mass index, serum hemoglobin level, and grip strength were included as predictors. In the training cohort, the area under the curve value for low skeletal muscle mass index was 0.750 (95% CI, 0.726–0.773), whereas for low skeletal muscle radiodensity, it was 0.763 (95% CI, 0.739–0.785). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test confirmed that both models fit well in both cohorts. Decision curve analysis was applied to assess the clinical usefulness of the model. ConclusionsThe incorporation of preoperative factors into the nomogram-based prediction model represents a significant advancement in the muscle quality assessment. Its implementation has the potential to early screen patients at risk of low skeletal muscle mass index and low skeletal muscle radiodensity.

Relationship between circulating tumour DNA and skeletal muscle stores at diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a cross-sectional study

Low skeletal muscle index (SMI) and low skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) are associated with reduced survival time in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The negative prognostic impact of low SMI and low SMD is often reported as independent of cancer stage when using traditional clinical staging tools. Therefore, this study sought to explore the relationship between a novel marker of tumour burden (circulating tumour DNA) and skeletal muscle abnormalities at diagnosis of PDAC. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in patients who had plasma and tumour tissue samples stored in the Victorian Pancreatic Cancer Biobank (VPCB) at diagnosis of PDAC, between 2015 and 2020. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) of patients with G12 and G13 KRAS mutations was detected and quantified. Pre-treatment SMI and SMD derived from analysis of diagnostic computed tomography imaging was tested for its association to presence and concentration of ctDNA, as well as conventional staging, and demographic variables. The study included 66 patients at PDAC diagnosis; 53% female, mean age 68.7 years (SD ± 10.9). Low SMI and low SMD were present in 69.7% and 62.1% of patients, respectively. Female gender was an independent risk factor for low SMI (OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.23–15.55, p = 0.022), and older age an independent risk factor for low SMD (OR 1.066, 95% CI 1.002–1.135, p = 0.044). No association between skeletal muscle stores and concentration of ctDNA (SMI r = − 0.163, p = 0.192; SMD r = 0.097, p = 0.438) or stage of disease according to conventional clinical staging [SMI F(3, 62) = 0.886, p = 0.453; SMD F(3, 62) = 0.717, p = 0.545] was observed. These results demonstrate that low SMI and low SMD are highly prevalent at diagnosis of PDAC, and suggest they are comorbidities of cancer rather than related to the clinical stage of disease. Future studies are needed to identify the mechanisms and risk factors for low SMI and low SMD at diagnosis of PDAC to aid screening and intervention development.

Racial differences in muscle measures and survival among older adults with GI malignancies.

12044 Background: Sarcopenia (low muscle mass) and myosteatosis (fat infiltration of muscle) can be assessed from routinely obtained Computed tomography (CT) images and are independent predictors of chemotherapy toxicities and survival among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. However, most studies to date have consisted of predominantly white populations. Therefore, the role of sarcopenia and myosteatosis among racial minority populations is unknown. Our objective was to examine racial differences in muscle measures and their association with survival among older adults with GI malignancies. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of older adults with GI cancers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Single slices of axial CT images from L3 segments were analyzed using Slice-O-Matic software. Skeletal muscle area (cm2) was divided by height to obtain the skeletal muscle index (SMI, cm2/m2). Skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) in Hounsfield units (HU) was used to approximate muscle composition. Sarcopenia (low SMI) and myosteatosis (low SMD) were defined based on standard cut-offs developed in a cohort of GI malignancies (Martin et al., JCO 2013). We compared differences in muscle measures between non-Hispanic (NH) White and NH Black participants. We utilized Cox models, separated by race, to examine the impact of muscle measures on survival. We adjusted for age, sex, education, cancer type, cancer stage, lines of therapy, and comorbidities. Results: Six hundred sixty patients were included, 76% NH White and 24% NH Black. The median age was 69.4 years, 35% had colorectal cancer, and 42% had stage IV disease. NH Black patients had higher SMD (41.7 vs. 38.3 HU; p &lt; 0.001) and lower rates of myosteatosis (40% vs. 27%; p = 0.04) but similar SMI (42.3 vs. 41.1 cm2/m2) and rates of sarcopenia (58% vs. 55%). In stratified Cox models, each 5 HU unit increase in SMD was associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality of NH black patients (HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.80-0.98 p = 0.02) and not in NH White patients (HR 0.95; 95% CI-0.88-1.01; p = 0.14). Meanwhile, each 5-unit increase in SMI was associated with improved survival in NH White patients (HR 0.91; CI 0.85-0.98; p = 0.03) but not in NH Black patients (HR 0.89 CI0.78-1.03 p = 0.13). When using existing cut points for sarcopenia and myosteatosis, NH White patients with sarcopenia had worse survival (HR 1.42; CI 1.04-1.92; p = 0.02), but sarcopenia among NH black patients was not associated with worse survival (HR 1.16 95% CI 0.62-2.16 p = 0.64). Myosteatosis was not associated with worse survival in either NH white (HR 95%CI 0.95-1.68 p = 0.10) or NH black patients (HR 1.61 95%CI 0.88-2.95 p = 0.12). Conclusions: Muscle measures may differ by race and have different associations with survival by racial group. Therefore, it is essential to develop cut points for muscle measures incorporating race.

The association between low skeletal muscle mass and low skeletal muscle radiodensity with functional impairment, systemic inflammation, and reduced survival in patients with incurable cancer.

Factors associated with the concomitant occurrence of low muscle mass and low muscle radiodensity are unclear. This study investigated whether different skeletal muscle phenotypes are associated with functional impairment, serum inflammatory markers, and survival in patients with incurable cancer. Three hundred and twenty-six patients (median age, 60 years; 67.5% female) who had abdominal or pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans up to 30 days before the initial assessment were enrolled in the study. CT images were used for the assessment of skeletal muscle index (SMI) and skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD). Optimal stratification analysis was used to derive cohort-specific cutoff points to define SMI and SMD groups with a higher risk for mortality (SMI, males <45.0 cm2 /m2 and females <44.0 cm2 /m2 ; SMD, males <34 Hounsfield units [HU] and females <30 HU). Based on these cutoffs, participants were classified into four phenotypes: low-risk SMI + low-risk SMD, high-risk SMI + low-risk SMD, low-risk SMI + high-risk SMD, and high-risk SMI + high-risk SMD. Phenotypes with high-risk SMI or high-risk SMD, especially when combined, were associated with low handgrip strength, poor performance status, higher C-reactive protein, and lower serum albumin levels. The phenotypes with high-risk SMD, regardless of low-risk SMI (hazard ratio [HR], 1.74; 95% CI, 1.05-2.88) or high-risk SMI (HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.29-3.05) were associated with higher 90 days' mortality risk. In patients with incurable cancer, phenotype groups with high-risk SMI and high-risk SMD, particularly when combined, were associated with worse functional impairment and inflammation. Moreover, high-risk SMD was associated with increased mortality risk.

Low skeletal muscle radiodensity and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as predictors of poor outcome in patients with COVID-19

Inflammatory states and body composition changes are associated with a poor prognosis in many diseases, but their role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not fully understood. To assess the impact of low skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD), high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and a composite score based on both variables, on complications, use of ventilatory support, and survival in patients with COVID-19. Medical records of patients hospitalized between May 1, 2020, and July 31, 2020, with a laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 who underwent computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively reviewed. CT-derived body composition measurements assessed at the first lumbar vertebra level, and laboratory tests performed at diagnosis, were used to calculate SMD and NLR. Prognostic values were estimated via univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and the Kaplan–Meier curve. The study was approved by the local Institutional Review Board (CAAE 36276620.2.0000.5404). A total of 200 patients were included. Among the patients assessed, median age was 59 years, 58% were men and 45% required ICU care. A total of 45 (22.5%) patients died. Multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that a low SMD (OR 2.94; 95% CI 1.13–7.66, P = 0.027), high NLR (OR 3.96; 95% CI 1.24–12.69, P = 0.021) and both low SMD and high NLR (OR 25.58; 95% CI 2.37–276.71, P = 0.008) combined, were associated with an increased risk of death. Patients who had both low SMD and high NLR required more mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001) and were hospitalized for a longer period (P < 0.001). Low SMD, high NLR and the composite score can predict poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19, and can be used as a tool for early identification of patients at risk. Systemic inflammation and low muscle radiodensity are useful predictors of poor prognosis, and the assessment of these factors in clinical practice should be considered.

Associations of intermuscular adipose tissue and total muscle wasting score in PG-SGA with low muscle radiodensity and mass in nonmetastatic colorectal cancer: A two-center cohort study

BackgroundsThe patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) is one of the screening criteria for malnutrition, the skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) are associated with survival in colorectal cancer patients. Body composition parameters can be easily assessed; however, few studies have examined the association between total muscle wasting scores in PG-SGA and body composition parameters and two muscle abnormalities.MethodsThis cohort study included 1,637 stage I-III CRC patients from 2 clinical centers in China, who were enrolled in the training cohort (n = 1,005) and validation cohort (n = 632). Baseline data were collected prospectively from patients including age, BMI, staging, gait speed, hand grip strength (HGS), peak expiratory flow (PEF), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), visceral fat area (VFA) and total muscle wasting score in PG-SGA. Relevant risk factors were subjected to logistic regression analysis and Cox regression analysis to identify characteristics associated with muscle abnormalities and survival. Based on the logistic model results, normograms were established to predict muscle abnormalities, and its discrimination and calibration were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve. The Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess the survival of colorectal cancer patients with malnutrition or sarcopenia in an inflammatory state (assessed by NLR).ResultsThe mean age of all participants was 57.7 ± 10.6 years (56.9% males) and the prevalence of low SMD and low SMI was 32.2 and 39.5%, respectively. Low SMD rate was significantly associated with age, TNM stage, BMI, IMAT, walking speed, total muscle wasting score and NRS2002 score by logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05). Low SMI rate was significantly correlated with age, NLR, BMI, PEF, handgrip strength, calf circumference, walking speed, total muscle wasting score and NRS2002 score (p < 0.05). The AUCs of the diagnostic nomograms were 0.859 (95% CI, 0.831–0.886) for low SMD and 0.843 (95% CI, 0.813–0.871) for low SMI in the validation cohort. We also found that patients with colorectal cancer with malnutrition or sarcopenia had a worse prognosis when NLR ≥3.5.ConclusionMuscle abnormalities and malnutrition are strongly associated with mortality in patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer. Early identification and intervention of the associated risk factors may offer new ways to improve patient prognosis.

The effect of sarcopenic obesity and muscle quality on complications after DIEP-flap breast reconstruction

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether sarcopenic obesity and muscle quality as expressed by skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) are associated to postoperative complications in women undergoing DIEP-flap breast reconstruction (BR). MethodsAll patients who underwent DIEP-flap BR at our tertiary center between 2010 and 2018 were asked to sign informed consent for the use of their electronic medical records and images. By outlining anatomical skeletal muscle contours on the preoperative abdominal CT-scan at lumbar level L3, SMD and skeletal muscle indices (SMI) were measured by two observers independently. Using logistic regression analyses, the association between sarcopenic obesity (BMI >25 & SMI <39), low SMD (<40HU), and Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade ≥ II complications was evaluated. In this way odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (ORadjusted) were provided. ResultsOut of the 103 patients included in this study, 36% had CD grade ≥ II complications within 30 days of surgery. Twenty patients (19%) suffered from sarcopenic obesity of whom eleven patients (55%) had CD grade ≥ II complications (OR = 2.7, p = 0.05). In a multivariate analysis, sarcopenic obesity was not significantly related to a higher complication rate (ORadjusted = 2.2, p = 0.14) but women with SMD below average and those with prior radiotherapy had a higher risk for grade ≥ II complications (ORadjusted = 2.9, p = 0.02 and ORadjusted = 2.7, p = 0.02 respectively). ConclusionBelow average SMD (<40HU) was found to be associated with the development of postoperative CD grade ≥ II complications in women undergoing DIEP-flap BR. Future research should evaluate whether improving SMD reduces the complication incidence in this patient group.

Preoperative Assessment of Skeletal Muscle Mass and Muscle Quality Using Computed Tomography: Incidence of Sarcopenia in Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Selected for Liver Resection.

Background: Sarcopenia is considered a predictor of poor postoperative and long-term results following liver resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The aim of our study was to assess the incidence of sarcopenia in patients resected for ICC and its relation to preoperative clinical factors. Methods: Patients resected for ICC in our unit, with available preoperative CT scans within one month before operation, were enrolled in the study. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) and skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) were assessed for each patient. Results: Thirty patients matched all inclusion criteria. Low SMI values were documented in 15 patients (50.0%), and low SMD values were documented in 10 patients (33.3%). SMI was significantly greater in males (p < 0.001). In patients who were underweight, the incidence of low SMI was significantly higher than that of high SMI (p = 0.031). In patients who were overweight/obese, the incidence of high SMI was significantly higher than that of low SMI (p = 0.003) and the incidence of low SMD was significantly higher than that of high SMD (p = 0.038). In the univariate analysis, no preoperative factors (clinical and tumor-related factors), in particular BMI, were found to be independent predictors of low SMI. Conclusions: The incidence of sarcopenia was 50.0% in patients selected for liver resection for ICC and was not related to the preoperative clinical factors. A multidisciplinary evaluation of the nutritional status is fundamental before liver resection in patients.

Skeletal muscle is prognostic in resected stage III malignant melanoma

Sarcopenia (low skeletal muscle index, SMI) and myosteatosis (low skeletal muscle radiodensity, SMD) have been associated with worse survival in cancer. This study evaluated associations of body composition with survival in patients with resected stage III melanoma. A retrospective review was performed of resected stage III melanoma patients in Alberta, Canada from 2007 to 2017. Preoperative CT scans were analyzed to determine SMI and SMD. Cohort-specific SMI and SMD cut-offs that optimally predicted overall survival (OS) were identified through stratification, in addition to testing cut-offs previously established in the literature. Overall (OS), melanoma-specific (MSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were determined from date of surgery and analysed using multivariable Cox regressions with age, sex, BMI, stage subgroup, ECOG PS, and tumor location as covariates. We included 330 patients in the final analysis. Mean age was 56 years and 62.4% of patients were male. At time of censoring 150 patients (45.6%) had died. Sarcopenia based on literature cut-offs was associated with decreased OS (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.00-2.21, p=0.016). Using cohort-specific cut-offs, sarcopenic patients also had significantly decreased OS (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.27-2.76, p=0.002). Myosteatosis defined using cohort-specific cut-offs predicted worse OS (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.42-3.25, p<0.001), MSS (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.40-3.75, p=0.001) and RFS (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.02-2.27, p=0.041). Increased BMI (≥25) and visceral fat index were not significantly associated with survival. Sarcopenia and myosteatosis, defined using two sets of cut-offs, are associated with decreased OS and MSS in resected stage III melanoma.

POS-566 Myosteatosis, not Muscle Size Correlates Well with Physical Function in Hemodialysis Patients

We aimed to investigate the association of myosteatosis (i.e. low skeletal muscle radiodensity [SMD]) and muscle quantity (i.e. skeletal muscle cross sectional area [SMA]), as measured by computed tomography (CT) at the L3 vertebral level with physical function in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Skeletal muscle radiodensity and cancer outcomes: A scoping review of the literature.

Patients with cancer are more prone to experience myosteatosis than healthy individuals. The aim of this review was to summarize the methodologies applied for low skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) assessment in oncology patients, as well as to describe the major findings related to SMD and cancer outcomes. This scoping review included studies that were published until November 2020 in English, Portuguese, or Spanish; were performed in humans diagnosed with cancer, adult and/or elderly, of both sexes; investigated SMD through computed tomography of the region between the third and fifth lumbar vertebrae, considering at least two muscular groups; and evaluated clinical and/or surgical outcomes. Eighty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 37,583 patients). Survival was the most evaluated outcome. Most studies reported a significant association between low SMD and unfavorable outcomes. However, this relationship was not clear for survival, antineoplastic treatment, and surgical complications, potentially because of the unstandardized approaches for the assessment of SMD and inadequate study design. Future studies should address these issues to provide an in-depth understanding of the clinical relevance of SMD in cancer outcomes as well as how SMD is influenced by individuals and tumor-related characteristics in patients with cancer.

Comparisons and Impacts of the Basic Components of Sarcopenia Definition and Their Pairwise Combinations in Gastric Cancer: A Large-Scale Study in a Chinese Population.

Background and Aims: Sarcopenia is negatively associated with clinical outcomes. However, the definitions of sarcopenia are inconsistent across international consensuses. Thus, the purpose of this study is to compare the impact of the basic definition components of sarcopenia and their combinations in post-operative complications and overall survival, aiming to find the best sarcopenia definition to stratify the prognosis in an Asian population.Methods: A total of 1,307 patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric cancer from July 2014 to May 2019 were prospectively included. The basic sarcopenia components were measured pre-operatively, including low skeletal muscle mass index (LSMI), low skeletal muscle radiodensity (LSMD), low handgrip strength (LHGS), and low gait speed (LGS). Among them, LSMI and LSMD were measured using a CT post-processing software, LHGS was measured using an electronic hand dynamometer, and LGS was represented by a 6-m walk speed.Results: For the single basic component, the muscle function parameters (LHGS or LGS) but not the muscle composition parameters (LSMI or LSMD) showed associations with post-operative complications and mortality. For the combination of the basic combinations, all statistically significant combinations included at least one muscle function parameter. The combination of muscle composition (LSMI or LSMD) and muscle function (LHGS or LGS) had a significantly higher area under the curve in the prediction of post-operative complications compared with the combinations of two muscle function parameters (LSMI plus LSMD) or two muscle composition parameters (LHGS plus LGS).Conclusions: Compared with muscle composition parameters (LSMI and LSMD), muscle function parameters (LHGS and LGS) are better predictors of post-operative complications and overall survival, which should be considered as the principal determinant in the sarcopenia definition. The definition of sarcopenia consists of muscle function (LHGS or LGS) and muscle composition (LSMI or LSMD) separately, which is better than the combination of the two muscle function parameters (LHGS plus LGS) or two muscle composition parameters (LSMI plus LSMD).

Association of body composition with toxicity to first-line chemotherapy and three-year survival in women with ovarian adenocarcinoma

Background This study aimed to evaluate the association of body composition with toxicity to first-line chemotherapy and three-year survival in women with ovarian adenocarcinoma. Methods We enrolled, in a retrospective cohort, 239 women treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel between 2008 and 2017. Pretreatment computed tomography scans were used to quantify skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD), and subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI). Chemotherapy doses, related toxicities, potential drug-drug interactions (DDI), and clinical variables were collected from medical records. Outcomes were the number of adverse events ≥ grade 3 toxicity, toxicity-induced modification of treatment (TIMT), and three-year survival. Results Average age was 56.3 years and 35.1% had myopenia. Almost 33% had TIMT and 51.3% presented any grade 3 toxicity. Potential severe DDI occurred in 48.1% of the patients and 65.1% died three years after the first treatment. The SMD and SATI below the median were independent predictors for the number of adverse events ≥ grade 3 and TIMT. Also, SMD was the only body composition parameter able to predict reduced three-year survival. The SMI was not associated with any of the outcomes. Conclusion Fewer amounts of SATI and low SMD were associated with the occurrence of toxicity to chemotherapy, and the low SMD increased the risk of death in the three years after oncologic treatment.

Phase angle as a marker for muscle abnormalities and function in patients with colorectal cancer

Considering the applicability of phase angle (PhA) as a marker of muscle mass and function, we aimed to investigate whether PhA is a predictor of muscle abnormalities and function in patients with cancer. In a sample of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), PhA was obtained from measurements of resistance and reactance from bioelectrical impedance analysis. Computerized tomography imaging at the third lumbar vertebra was used to evaluate muscle abnormalities by quantifying skeletal muscle index (SMI) and skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD). Muscle function was assessed by handgrip strength (HGS) and gait speed (GS). This cross-sectional study included 190 participants (X±SD), mean age 60.5±11.3 years; 57% men; 78% had cancer stages III to IV. PhA was highly correlated with SMI (r=0.70) and moderately correlated with HGS (r=0.54). PhA explained 48% of the SMI variability (R2=0.485), 21% of the SMD variability (R2=0.214), 26% of HGS (R2=0.261) and 9.8% of GS (R2=0.098). In the multivariate model adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, performance status, comorbidities and cancer stage, 1-degree decrease in PhA was associated with low SMI (Odds Ratio (OR)=6.56, 95% CI: 2.90-14.86) and with low SMI and HGS combined (OR=11.10, 95% CI: 2.61-47.25). In addition, Receiving Operating Characteristics curve analysis showed that PhA had a good diagnostic accuracy for detecting low SMI, low SMI and SMD combined, low SMD and HGS and low SMI and HGS combined (AUC=0.81, 95% CI: 0.74-0.88; AUC = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81-0.95; AUC = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.70-0.91; AUC=0.82, 95% CI: 0.74-0.89; respectively). PhA was a predictor of muscle abnormalities and function and had a good diagnostic accuracy for detecting low muscle mass, low muscle mass and radiodensity, low muscle radiodensity and strength, and low muscle mass and strength in patients with CRC.

Low skeletal muscle radiodensity is the best predictor for short-term major surgical complications in gastrointestinal surgical cancer: A cohort study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether body composition, muscle function, and their association are predictive factors for short-term postoperative complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer. A prospective cohort study was conducted with patients undergoing resection of gastric and colorectal tumors. Nutritional status was assessed using Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and anthropometric techniques. Low handgrip strength (HGS) was observed when <16kg for women, and <27kg for men. Computed tomography images were used to measure visceral adipose tissue, skeletal muscle index (SMI), and skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD). Complications of grade II or above (according to Clavien-Dindo’s classification) were considered in a follow-up period of up to 30 days after surgery. Major complications were defined when they reached grade III or above. A total of 84 patients were analyzed (57.1% female, 59.7 ± 12.6 years) and 19% were diagnosed with low HGS + low SMI or SMD. Postoperative complications occurred in 51.2%, and these patients presented significantly longer duration of surgery and hospital stay. Major complications were observed in 16.7% of the total number of patients. Binary logistic regression adjusted by age, sex, and tumor staging showed that low SMD, low HGS + low SMI or SMD, and obesity were independent risk factors for postoperative complications, but only low SMD was an independent risk factor for major postoperative complications. Low SMD is an independent risk factor for short-term major complications following surgery in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer.

Development and validation of nomograms for the prediction of low muscle mass and radiodensity in gastric cancer patients

The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) are important components of sarcopenia and malnutrition. However, their assessment requires additional resources in cancer patients, which is inconvenient for the early detection of sarcopenia and malnutrition. This study aimed to develop and validate nomograms for the prediction of low muscle mass and muscle radiodensity and to examine the application value of the nomograms in the diagnoses of sarcopenia and malnutrition. A total of 1315 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer between July 2014 and May 2019 were included. Random resampling with an 80/20 split ratio was performed to obtain a training cohort (n=1056) and a validation cohort (n=259). Nomograms were separately constructed for low SMI (LSMI) and low SMD (LSMD) in the training cohort based on prospectively collected preoperative data. The performance of the nomograms was assessed using the AUC, calibration curve, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The application values of the nomograms in the diagnoses of sarcopenia and malnutrition were also evaluated. Age, BMI, hemoglobin concentration, and gait speed were included in the nomogram for LSMI predictions. These variables, in addition to sex, were included in the nomogram for LSMD predictions. The diagnostic nomograms exhibited good discrimination, with AUCs of 0.818 (95% CI, 0.791-0.845) for the LSMI nomogram and 0.788 (95% CI, 0.761-0.815) for the LSMD diagnostic nomogram in the training cohort. Calibration was also excellent. The agreement ratios between the nomograms and actual observations in the total population were 92.3% and 95.6% for sarcopenia and malnutrition, respectively. Prognostic nomograms exhibited similar performance in the validation cohort. Diagnostic nomograms consisting of preoperative factors can successfully predict LSMI and LSMD. These models facilitate early identification and timely interventions for at-risk populations.

The relationship between 18F-FDG-PETCT-derived tumour metabolic activity, nutritional risk, body composition, systemic inflammation and survival in patients with lung cancer

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PET-CT derived tumour glucose uptake as measured by maximum standard glucose uptake (SUVmax) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG), nutritional risk as measured by the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST), CT derived body composition as measured by skeletal muscle index (SMI) and skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD), the systemic inflammatory response as measured by the modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and survival in patients with lung cancer, treated with radiotherapy. In a retrospective cohort study, 119 patients were included in final analyses. The majority of patients were over 65 (86%), female (52%), had a performance status (ECOG-PS) of 0 or 1 (57%), were at nutritional risk (57%), were overweight (53%), had visceral obesity (62%), had a normal SMI (51%), had a low SMD (62%) and were systemically inflammed (mGPS 1/2, 51%). An elevated TLG was associated with sex (p < 0.05), TNM stage (p < 0.001), MUST (p < 0.01) and mGPS (p < 0.01). An elevated mGPS was associated with age (p < 0.05), NLR (p < 0.01), MUST (p < 0.01), and TLG (p < 0.01). On univariate survival analysis, TNM stage (p < 0.01), mGPS (p < 0.05), NLR (p < 0.01), MUST (p ≤ 0.001), Low SMD (p < 0.05), SUVmax (p ≤ 0.001) and TLG (p < 0.001) were associated with overall survival. On multivariate survival analysis MUST (HR: 1.49 95%CI 1.12–01.98 p < 0.01) and TLG (HR: 2.02 95%CI 1.34–3.04 p = 0.001) remained independently associated with survival. In conclusion, elevated tumour metabolic activity was associated with more advanced stage, greater nutritional risk, the systemic inflammatory response and poorer survival but not body composition analysis in patients with lung cancer. These results suggest that detrimental body composition is not directly determined by tumour metabolic activity but rather an ongoing systemic inflammatory response.