Skeletal Muscle Area Research Articles

The role of sarcopenic obesity for the prediction of prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer is associated with a poor prognosis. We aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of SO in patients with gastrointestinal cancer, as well as the diagnostic cut-off value of SO in patients with gastrointestinal cancer among Chinese population. We conducted a consecutive cohort study. Between January 2017 and January 2019, 289 patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer were included in our study. Skeletal muscle area, total fat area, and subcutaneous fat area were measured by CT scan. All patients were followed up for 5 years. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were adopted to determine the cut-off values of visceral fat obesity for the prediction of sarcopenia. Based on the cut-off values, patients with sarcopenia combined with visceral fat obesity were divided into the SO group, and the others were divided into the non-sarcopenic obesity (NSO) group. Kaplan-Meier curves and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were employed to explore the associations of body composition profiles with 5-year overall survival and disease-specific survival. Obtained from Youden's Index for ROC for the prediction of 5-year survival, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) ≤40.02 cm2/m2 with VFA ≥ 126.30 cm2 in men and SMI ≤32.05 cm2/m2 with VFA ≥72.42 cm2 in women indicate a risk of poor prognosis in patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer. Patients with SO had poorer 5-year overall survival (OS) than patients with NSO (6.74% vs. 82.84%, p < 0.001), and poorer 5-year DFS (6.74% vs. 81.82%, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, we found that the long-term mortality risk was approximately 13-fold higher among patients in the SO group compared to those with no conditions. Preoperative assessment of SO is useful not only for monitoring nutritional status but also for predicting 5-year OS in gastrointestinal cancer patients.

A High Visceral-to-Skeletal Muscle Area Ratio on Cross-Sectional Imaging Is Associated With Failure of Standard Ustekinumab Doses: A Multicenter Study.

Anti-interleukin 12/23 agents have shown greater durability in response compared with anti-tumor necrosis factor α agents. Data on the association between body composition (BC) or body mass index (BMI) and ustekinumab's therapeutic response is limited. We aimed to evaluate the impact of BC on time to failing standard doses of ustekinumab in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Patients with CD aged 16 years and older from 2 tertiary centers were studied retrospectively. Included patients had abdominal imaging within 6 months of ustekinumab induction and were followed until April 30, 2022. An experienced abdominal radiologist blinded to the clinical information measured the area of visceral fat area and skeletal muscle area at the mid L3 vertebral level, with values corrected for height 2 to derive respective indices (visceral fat index [VFI], skeletal muscle index [SMI]) and the VFI:SMI ratio. Ninety-nine patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age at ustekinumab induction was 46.6 (±1.6) years. The median BMI (interquartile range) was 26.5 (22.6-30.8). Twenty-four patients (24.2%) did not respond or lost response to standard doses of ustekinumab over the follow-up duration. A younger age (hazard ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.94-0.99, P = 0.01) and a VFI:SMI ratio >1.6 (hazard ratio 4.65, 95% confidence interval 1.73-12.45, P = 0.002) were both associated with a shorter time to failing ustekinumab at standard doses on multivariate analysis. BMI, notably, had no association with the primary outcome. A high VFI:SMI ratio is associated with an increased risk of failing standard doses of ustekinumab. BC measurements derived from cross-sectional imaging at the start of ustekinumab therapy is a useful indicator for therapeutic durability.

Association of magnetic resonance imaging-derived sarcopenia with outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

To evaluate whether sarcopenia, diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, constitutes a prognosis-associated risk factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy. One hundred and ninety-three patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC were retrospectively enrolled. The areas of the total skeletal muscle (SM) and psoas muscle (PM) were evaluated at the third lumbar vertebra in the preoperative MR images, and divided by the square of height in order to obtain the skeletal muscle index (SMI) and psoas muscle mass index (PMI). Sarcopenia was diagnosed respectively on the definitions based on the SMI or PMI. The potential of muscle-defined sarcopenia as a prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) was investigated in these patients. The areas of SM and PM, and SMI and PMI were significantly higher in the men than in the women (all p < 0.05). Notably, SMI-defined sarcopenia displayed a significant sex difference (p = 0.003), while PMI-defined sarcopenia did not (p = 0.370). Through univariate and multivariate analyses, PMI-defined sarcopenia remained an independent predictor for OS and RFS (HR = 3.486, 95% CI: 1.700-7.145, p = 0.001 and HR = 1.993, 95% CI: 1.246-3.186, p = 0.004), even after adjusting for other clinical variables. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated significantly poorer OS and RFS for patients with sarcopenia defined by using PMI, but not SMI, compared to those without sarcopenia (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). MRI-derived, sarcopenia defined by using PMI, not SMI, may serve as a significant risk factor for RFS and OS in patients with HCC after hepatectomy.

Clinical characteristics of tension headache in occlusive disorders

Relevance. Common physiological human suffering is headache. The prevalence of headache ranks third after back pain and joint pain in the structure of muscle-fascial pain syndromes. However, headaches and facial pains associated with muscle-fascial trigger points are much more common than headaches and facial pains caused by other causes. An extremely irritated area of skeletal muscle associated with an oversensitive palpable node located in a compacted bundle is the muscle–fascial trigger points. In the pathogenesis of headaches, a major role belongs to dysfunction or disease of the temporomandibular joint, age-related changes in the masticatory muscles, jaws and teeth and all elements of the TMJ occuring during a person’s life. In some cases, minor changes in the occlusion of teeth and jaws, as well as a stressful situation, lead to a painful spasm of the masticatory muscles. Goal. To analyze the clinical characteristics of tension headache in patients with occlusive disorders (OD) and physiological occlusion (PO). Material and methods. The study covered 210 patients with occlusion disorders and 92 patients with the signs of physiological occlusion. 141 patients from the first group and 32 patients from the second group complained of a headache. Occlusal relationships of teeth were analyzed in the position of central and dynamic occlusion. The destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth and partial adentia, as well as anomalies and deformities of the dentition were determined as the disorder of occlusion. The study of the muscles of the maxillofacial region and neck was carried out using the techniques described in the book by Travell J.G., Simons D.G. (2005). A visual-analogue pain assessment scale and a Russified McGill’s questionnaire on the nature of pain were used to identify the nature of the pain syndrome, the severity of pain. The assessment was carried out at a consultative appointment, the localization, nature, duration and intensity of pain, as well as the specificities of the pain syndrome being taken into account. When examining muscles, to quantify the data obtained the muscle syndrome index (IMS) was evaluated. The analysis of the research results was carried out using nonparametric criteria. Results. According to the severity of the pain syndrome, the use of a visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain allowed us to divide all patients into 3 groups: with mild pain, with moderate and with severe pain. According to the international classification of headaches, episodic and chronic headaches were distinguished. In patients with OD, the headache becomes chronic more often and is felt more intense than in patients with PO. Among the patients complaining of a headache, in patients with OD the IMS is higher than the IMS of the muscles of the masticatory complex, and in patients with PO the IMS is higher than the IMS of the neck muscles. Conclusions. Female patients with OD and PO suffer from tension headache more often than male patients. In patients with OD, musculo-fascial headaches are twice as common, have a more pronounced character and become chronic more often than in patients with PO. The severity of the IMS of the masticatory muscles in patients with OD is 2.5 times higher than in patients with PO.

Influence of weight-adjusted contrast enhancement on computed tomography-derived skeletal muscle measures: a retrospective proof-of-concept comparative study between Danish females and males

BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) has an underutilized potential for evaluating body composition in clinical settings. Often conducted with intravenous contrast (IVC), CT scans yield unused body composition data due to unclear effects on skeletal muscle area (SMA), skeletal muscle index (SMI), and muscle density (SMD). ObjectivesThis study investigates whether weight-adjusted IVC influences SMA, SMI, and SMD differently in females and males compared with noncontrast abdominal CT. In addition, the study explores associations between contrast and noncontrast-assessed SMA, SMI, SMD, and demographic factors. MethodsA comparative observational retrospective study was conducted on Danish patients who underwent consecutive 4-phased contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans (noncontrast, arterial, venous, and late venous phases). Muscle measures were evaluated using validated semiautomated threshold-based software by 3 independent raters. ResultsThe study included 72 patients (51 males and 21 females) with a mean age of 59 (55 and 62) y. Weight-adjusted IVC increased SMA by ≤3.28 cm2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.58, 3.98) corresponding to 2.4% (1.8, 2.9) in the late venous phase compared with noncontrast CT. Analysis between sexes showed no difference in the effects of IVC on SMA and SMI between females and males. However, females exhibited a higher increase in SMD during the venous by a mean of 1.7 HU (0.9; 2.5) and late venous phases with a mean HU of 1.80 (1.0; 2.6) compared with males. Multivariate regression analysis indicated an association between the differences in SMD and sex during venous (–1.38, 95% CI: –2.48, –0.48) and late venous phases (–1.23, 95% CI: –2.27, –0.19). ConclusionsWeight-adjusted IVC leads to increased SMA, SMI, and SMD. Although SMA and SMI differences were consistent across the sexes, females exhibited a significantly higher SMD increase than males in the venous and late venous phases. Further investigations are necessary to determine the applicability of SMD as a muscle quality proxy in IVC CT scans.

AI-Assisted Body Composition Assessment Using CT Imaging in Colorectal Cancer Patients: Predictive Capacity for Sarcopenia and Malnutrition Diagnosis.

(1) Background: The assessment of muscle mass is crucial in the nutritional evaluation of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), as decreased muscle mass is linked to increased complications and poorer prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the utility of AI-assisted L3 CT for assessing body composition and determining low muscle mass using both the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria for malnutrition and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) criteria for sarcopenia in CRC patients prior to surgery. Additionally, we aim to establish cutoff points for muscle mass in men and women and propose their application in these diagnostic frameworks. (2) Methods: This retrospective observational study included CRC patients assessed by the Endocrinology and Nutrition services of the Regional University Hospitals of Malaga, Virgen de la Victoria of Malaga, and Vall d'Hebrón of Barcelona from October 2018 to July 2023. A morphofunctional assessment, including anthropometry, bioimpedance analysis (BIA), and handgrip strength, was conducted to apply the GLIM criteria for malnutrition and the EWGSOP2 criteria for sarcopenia. Body composition evaluation was performed through AI-assisted analysis of CT images at the L3 level. ROC analysis was used to determine the predictive capacity of variables derived from the CT analysis regarding the diagnosis of low muscle mass and to describe cutoff points. (3) Results: A total of 586 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 68.4 ± 10.2 years. Using the GLIM criteria, 245 patients (41.8%) were diagnosed with malnutrition. Applying the EWGSOP2 criteria, 56 patients (9.6%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. ROC curve analysis for the skeletal muscle index (SMI) showed a strong discriminative capacity of muscle area to detect low fat-free mass index (FFMI) (AUC = 0.82, 95% CI 0.77-0.87, p < 0.001). The identified SMI cutoff for diagnosing low FFMI was 32.75 cm2/m2 (Sn 77%, Sp 64.3%; AUC = 0.79, 95% CI 0.70-0.87, p < 0.001) in women, and 39.9 cm2/m2 (Sn 77%, Sp 72.7%; AUC = 0.85, 95% CI 0.80-0.90, p < 0.001) in men. Additionally, skeletal muscle area (SMA) showed good discriminative capacity for detecting low appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) (AUC = 0.71, 95% CI 0.65-0.76, p < 0.001). The identified SMA cutoff points for diagnosing low ASMM were 83.2 cm2 (Sn 76.7%, Sp 55.3%; AUC = 0.77, 95% CI 0.69-0.84, p < 0.001) in women and 112.6 cm2 (Sn 82.3%, Sp 58.6%; AUC = 0.79, 95% CI 0.74-0.85, p < 0.001) in men. (4) Conclusions: AI-assisted body composition assessment using CT is a valuable tool in the morphofunctional evaluation of patients with colorectal cancer prior to surgery. CT provides quantitative data on muscle mass for the application of the GLIM criteria for malnutrition and the EWGSOP2 criteria for sarcopenia, with specific cutoff points established for diagnostic use.

Favorable liver and skeletal muscle changes in patients with MASLD and T2DM receiving glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist: A prospective cohort study.

To investigate changes in skeletal muscle mass and fat fraction in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing treatment with Semaglutide for 6months. This single-arm pilot study included 21 patients with MASLD who received semaglutide for T2DM. Body weight, metabolic parameters, liver enzymes, fibrosis markers, skeletal muscle index (cm2/m2), and fat fraction (%) at the L3 level using the two-point Dixon method on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as liver steatosis and liver stiffness assessed using MRI-based proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) and MR elastography, respectively, were prospectively examined before and 6 months after semaglutide administration. The mean age of the patients was 53 years and 47.6% were females. The median liver steatosis-fraction (%) and skeletal muscle steatosis-fraction values (%) significantly decreased (22.0 vs 12.0; P = .0014) and (12.8 vs 9.9; P = .0416) at baseline and 6 months, respectively, while maintaining muscle mass during treatment. Semaglutide also dramatically reduced hemoglobin A1c (%) (6.8 vs 5.8, P = .0003), AST (IU/L) (54 vs 26, P < .0001), ALT (IU/L) (80 vs 34, P = .0004), and γ-GTP (IU/L) levels (64 vs 34, P = .0007). Although not statistically significant, Body weight (kg) (79.9 vs 77.4), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) (28.9 vs 27.6), and liver stiffness (kPa) (28.9 vs 27.6) showed a decreasing trend. Fibrosis markers such as M2BPGi, type IV collagen, and skeletal muscle area did not differ. Semaglutide demonstrated favorable effects on liver and skeletal muscle steatosis, promoting improved liver function and diabetic status.

Prediction of lymph node metastasis in T1 colorectal cancer based on combination of body composition and vascular invasion

ObjectivesLymph node metastasis (LNM) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is not only associated with the tumor’s local pathological characteristics but also with systemic factors. This study aims to assess the feasibility of using body composition and pathological features to predict LNM in early stage colorectal cancer (eCRC) patients.MethodsA total of 192 patients with T1 CRC who underwent CT scans and surgical resection were retrospectively included in the study. The cross-sectional areas of skeletal muscle, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat at the L3 vertebral body level in CT scans were measured using Image J software. Logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify the risk factors for LNM. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of the indicators were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Delong test was applied to compare area under different ROC curves.ResultsLNM was observed in 32 out of 192 (16.7%) patients with eCRC. Multivariate analysis revealed that the ratio of skeletal muscle area to visceral fat area (SMA/VFA) (OR = 0.021, p = 0.007) and pathological indicators of vascular invasion (OR = 4.074, p = 0.020) were independent risk factors for LNM in eCRC patients. The AUROC for SMA/VFA was determined to be 0.740 (p < 0.001), while for vascular invasion, it was 0.641 (p = 0.012). Integrating both factors into a proposed predictive model resulted in an AUROC of 0.789 (p < 0.001), indicating a substantial improvement in predictive performance compared to relying on a single pathological indicator.ConclusionThe combination of the SMA/VFA ratio and vascular invasion provides better prediction of LNM in eCRC.

Prospective observational study of nutritional and immunological indices as predictive biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer (ICI-PREDICT study).

e20524 Background: Nutritional and immunological indices, including controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, skeletal muscle area (SMA), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) have been reported as predictors of response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this prospective, multicenter study is to evaluate the clinical impact of pre- or early post-treatment changes in nutritional and immunological indices on treatment outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with first-line ICIs. Methods: We enrolled 301 advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICIs (monotherapy or combined with chemotherapy) as first-line therapy, without any oncogene mutations, and available data on programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression (150 in training and 151 in validation cohorts) from March 2020 to November 2022. The CONUT score, SMA at the L3 level (cm2/m2), and NLR, were evaluated before treatment initiation and at the first response evaluation. Cut-off values were determined by receiver operating characteristic curves with objective response as the outcome in the training cohort. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). For exploratory study, serum before treatment was collected to measure 15 muscle-derived cytokines (Apelin, BDNF, CX3CL1, EPO, FABP3, FSTL1, FGF21, IL-6, IL-15, Irisin, LIF, Musclin, Myostatin, OSM, and SPARC) (n = 123). Results: The median follow-up period and PFS was 17.5 (range: 7.3-39.4) and 6.9 (range: 0.1-31.5) months, respectively. In the training cohort, men (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30-0.90, p = 0.0183), ΔCONUT &lt; 0 (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.35-0.98, p = 0.0431), and ΔSMA &gt; −0.13 (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33-0.96, p = 0.0333) were independent predictors for PFS. In the validation cohort, PD-L1 ≥ 50% (HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.34-0.84, p = 0.0061), NLR &lt; 3.65 (HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.30-0.74, p = 0.0011), and ΔSMA &gt; −0.13 (HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38-0.98, p = 0.0421) were independent predictors for PFS. In the exploratory study, multivariate analysis including muscle-derived cytokines (continuous variables) revealed that performance status = 0 (HR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.12-0.48, p &lt; 0.0001), without baseline prednisone (≥ 10 mg/day) (HR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05-0.58, p = 0.0213), smoking history (HR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14-0.81, p = 0.0269), and FSTL1 (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99, p = 0.0185) were independent predictors of PFS. Conclusions: ΔSMA was the only factor validated as an independent predictor of PFS. The underlying biological mechanisms may be related to skeletal muscle-derived FSTL1. Clinical trial information: UMIN000040450.

Evaluation of sarcopenia-associated survival in breast cancer with computed tomography-based pectoral muscle area measurements

Objective: Breast cancer is the most common and deadly female cancer. In breast cancer cases, survival is closely related to muscle mass, which is one of the components of body composition. Our aim was to investigate the usefulness of computed-tomography (CT)- based pectoral muscle measurements in detecting sarcopenia in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer and the relationship of these measurements with survival. Patients and Methods: Our study included 62 adult female breast cancer cases diagnosed with breast cancer between January 2012 and January 2018 and without metastasis in positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) examination obtained for pre-treatment staging. To evaluate sarcopenia, skeletal muscle index (SMI) and pectoral muscle index (PMI) were calculated by measuring pectoral muscle area and skeletal muscle area at L3 vertebra level on PET/CT images. Results: Deceased patients were significantly older (Median=73.90, IQR=27.04) than surviving patients (Median=54.60, IQR=13.37, p=0.025) and were diagnosed with cancer later in life (Median=63.92 IQR=30.16’ vs. Median=47.51 IQR=15.0, p=0.030). When the threshold of 31 cm2/m2 was selected, there was a statistically significant difference in survival between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups (p=0.031). Conclusion: In conclusion, the presence of sarcopenia in female breast cancer cases is a parameter that affects survival and can be measured using radiological imaging methods. In addition to the measurements accepted in the literature regarding sarcopenia, pectoral muscle measurements can be chosen as an alternative method in the diagnosis of sarcopenia.

Tumor metabolic activity is associated with subcutaneous adipose tissue radiodensity and survival in non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundCachexia-associated body composition alterations and tumor metabolic activity are both associated with survival of cancer patients. Recently, subcutaneous adipose tissue properties have emerged as particularly prognostic body composition features. We hypothesized that tumors with higher metabolic activity instigate cachexia related peripheral metabolic alterations, and investigated whether tumor metabolic activity is associated with body composition and survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), focusing on subcutaneous adipose tissue. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 173 patients with NSCLC. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scans obtained before treatment were used to analyze tumor metabolic activity (standardized uptake value (SUV) and SUV normalized by lean body mass (SUL)) as well as body composition variables (subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue radiodensity (SAT /VAT radiodensity) and area; skeletal muscle radiodensity (SM radiodensity) and area). Subjects were divided into groups with high or low SAT radiodensity based on Youden Index of Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC). Associations between tumor metabolic activity, body composition variables, and survival were analyzed by Mann-Whitney tests, Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. ResultsThe overall prevalence of high SAT radiodensity was 50.9% (88/173). Patients with high SAT radiodensity had shorter survival compared with patients with low SAT radiodensity (mean: 45.3 vs. 50.5 months, p=0.026). High SAT radiodensity was independently associated with shorter overall survival (multivariate Cox regression HR=1.061, 95% CI: 1.022-1.101, p=0.002). SAT radiodensity also correlated with tumor metabolic activity (SULpeak rs=0.421, p=0.029; SUVpeak rs=0.370, p=0.048). In contrast, the cross-sectional areas of SM, SAT, and VAT were not associated with tumor metabolic activity or survival. ConclusionHigher SAT radiodensity is associated with higher tumor metabolic activity and shorter survival in patients with NSCLC. This may suggest that tumors with higher metabolic activity induce subcutaneous adipose tissue alterations such as decreased lipid density, increased fibrosis, or browning.

Skeletal muscle mass and quality in gout patients versus non-gout controls: A computed tomography imaging study

ObjectivePatients with gout are at elevated risk of multiple vascular and metabolic comorbidities. Whether they are also at risk of sarcopenia, which is known to affect patients with other rheumatic diseases, has not been previously assessed. We examined whether patients with gout have decreased lumbar muscle quality and quantity, indicating an association between gout and sarcopenia. MethodsFifty gout subjects and 25 controls, ages 45–80, underwent computed tomography imaging of the lumbosacral spine. We measured muscle quantity (skeletal muscle area [SMA] and index [SMI]) and quality (skeletal muscle radiation attenuation [SMRA] and intermuscular adipose tissue [IMAT] area and index [IMATI]) of the psoas and erector spinae muscles at the L3 level. ResultsSeventy subjects (45 gout and 25 controls) were included in the analysis. Gout subjects had higher BMI, more kidney disease and hypertension, lower exercise frequency, and higher mean serum urate and creatinine vs. controls. Lumbar SMRA was significantly lower in gout subjects vs. controls, indicating reduced muscle quality. Lumbar IMAT area was significantly higher in gout subjects vs. controls, as was lumbar IMATI, indicating increased muscle adiposity. These differences persisted after adjusting for potential confounders. In contrast, there was no significant difference between gout and control groups in lumbar SMA or lumbar SMI, suggesting that muscle quantity may not be routinely affected by the diagnosis of gout. ConclusionsGout patients exhibit decreased lumbar muscle quality compared with controls, consistent with an association between gout and sarcopenia.

#2439 The association between vitamin D deficiency and sarcopenia in patients with pre-dialysis CKD

Abstract Background and Aims Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive and widespread loss of skeletal muscle, leading to muscle weakness and frailty. While primary sarcopenia is linked to aging, secondary sarcopenia can independently occur, especially in chronic conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD). Investigating sarcopenia in CKD patients has become a focal point in research due to its significant impact on the quality of life, morbidity, and mortality of these individuals. Despite reports connecting vitamin D deficiency, prevalent in CKD, to sarcopenia in the general population, there is limited information regarding the specific relationship between vitamin D and sarcopenia in CKD. This study aims to explore the association between vitamin D deficiency and sarcopenia in patients with pre-dialysis CKD. Method This cross-sectional study enrolled 569 patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as having an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 ml/min/m2. Sarcopenia was assessed using computed tomography (CT)-derived skeletal muscle index (SMI), calculated based on the cross-sectional area of skeletal muscles at the 3rd lumbar vertebra. Using Korean-specific SMI cutoffs, patients were categorized into sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups. Logistic regression analyses were employed to explore associations between sarcopenia and baseline variables, including active vitamin D, specifically 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] level. Results Among the 569 patients, 278 had CKD stage 3, 198 had CKD stage 4, and 93 had CKD stage 5. The prevalence of sarcopenia increased with advancing CKD stage (CKD stage 3 vs. stage 4 vs. stage 5: 20.1% vs. 31.3% vs. 41.9%, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed an association between 1,25(OH)2D levels and sarcopenia. Additionally, age, male sex, diabetes, body mass index, eGFR, urinary albumin excretion levels, and serum levels of albumin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and intact parathyroid hormone were associated with sarcopenia. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, 1,25(OH)2D levels remained independently associated with sarcopenia (per 1 pg/dl increase, odds ratio [OR]: 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80–0.87, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Age (per 1 year increase, OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.07, P &amp;lt; 0.001), diabetes (vs. non-diabetes, OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.39–3.89, P = 0.001), serum albumin (per 1 mg/dl increase, OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22–0.71, P = 0.0023), and hsCRP (per 1 mg/dl increase, OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.25–2.92, P = 0.003) were also independently associated with sarcopenia. Conclusion This study revealed an independent association between 1,25(OH)2D levels and sarcopenia derived from CT scans in pre-dialysis CKD patients. This association retained significance even after adjusting for traditional risk factors for sarcopenia, such as age, diabetes, serum albumin, and hsCRP. Further prospective studies are necessary to determine whether therapy with exogenous 1,25(OH)2D drugs can improve sarcopenia in these patients.

Prognostic value of body composition in patients with digestive tract cancers: A prospective cohort study of 8,267 adults from China

The characterization and prognostic value of body composition parameter/phenotype based on computed tomography (CT) in patients with digestive tract cancers remain incomplete. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parameter/phenotype and clinical outcomes in patients with digestive tract cancers. In this prospective cohort study, 8267 patients with digestive tract cancers were assessed using CT scans to determine body composition. Body composition data, including areas of skeletal muscle (SM), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), were collected at the third lumbar level on CT images obtained within 30 days before surgery. Body composition phenotypes (sarcopenia, cancer cachexia, sarcopenic obesity) were determined based on SM, SAT, and VAT areas. The primary endpoint was overall survival, obtained from electronic medical records and telephone follow-up surveys. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses were employed to compare unadjusted survival, while multivariate survival analyses were conducted using a proportional hazards model adjusted for age, gender, and cancer-node-metastasis (TNM) stages. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality were calculated for the second (Q2), third (Q3), and fourth (Q4) quantiles relative to the first quantile (Q1) for SM areas, revealing adjusted summary HRs of 0.575 (95% CI, 0.361-0.916), 0.419 (95% CI, 0.241-0.729), and 0.384 (95% CI, 0.203-0.726), respectively. Sarcopenia-adjusted summary HRs were 1.795 (95% CI: 1.012-3.181) for male patients and 1.925 (95% CI: 1.065-3.478) for female patients. Cancer cachexia-adjusted summary HRs were 1.542 (95% CI: 1.023-2.324) for male patients and 1.569 (95% CI: 0.820-3.001) for female patients. Sarcopenic obesity-adjusted summary HRs were 1.122 (95% CI: 0.759-1.657) for male patients and 1.303 (95% CI: 0.623-2.725) for female patients. Subgroup analyses indicated varying prognostic values of body composition parameter/phenotype among different cancer types. Our findings suggest a large SM area is a favorable prognostic indicator, while cancer cachexia and sarcopenia signify poor prognosis in patients with digestive tract cancers. These findings have important implications for the personalized preoperative assessment of body composition in patients with digestive tract cancers.

Sarcopenia is independently associated with mortality and recovery from dialysis in critically ill patients with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury receiving continuous renal replacement therapy.

Sarcopenia upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) consistently correlates with adverse outcomes, including heightened mortality, in critically ill patients. This study aims to investigate the independent association of sarcopenia with both mortality and recovery from dialysis in critically ill patients with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SIAKI) undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This retrospective study included 618 patients with SIAKI who underwent CRRT in our ICU. All patients had abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans within 3 days preceding ICU admission. The cross-sectional area of skeletal muscles at the third lumbar vertebra was quantified, and the skeletal muscle index (SMI), a normalized measure of skeletal muscle mass, was computed. Using Korean-specific SMI cutoffs, patients were categorized into sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups. Among the 618 patients, 301 expired within 28 days of ICU admission. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that sarcopenia independently predicted 28-day mortality. Among survivors, sarcopenia was independently associated with recovery from dialysis within 28 days after ICU admission. Kaplan-Meier analysis illustrated that sarcopenic patients had a higher mortality rate and a lower rate of recovery from dialysis within 28 days after ICU admission compared to non-sarcopenic patients. This study underscores the independent association of sarcopenia, assessed via CT-derived SMI, with both mortality and recovery from dialysis in critically ill patients with SIAKI undergoing CRRT. The inclusion of sarcopenia assessment could serve as a valuable tool for physicians in effectively stratifying the risk of adverse outcomes in these patients.

Muscle mass as a modifier of stress response in acute ischemic stroke patients

Stroke triggers a systemic inflammatory response over the ensuing days after the cerebral insult. The age and comorbidities of the stroke population make them a vulnerable population for low muscle mass and sarcopenia, the latter being another clinical condition that is closely associated with inflammation, as shown by increased levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). In this study, we evaluated the relationship between post-stroke NLR changes and muscle mass in a prospective cohort of acute ischemic stroke patients (n = 102) enrolled in the Muscle Assessment in Stroke Study Turkey (MASS-TR). Admission lumbar computed tomography images were used to determine the cross-sectional muscle area of skeletal muscles at L3 vertebra level and calculate the skeletal muscle index (SMI). The median (IQR) SMI was 44.7 (39.1–52.5) cm2/m2, and the NLR at admission and follow-up were 4.2 (3.0–10.5) and 9.4 (5.7–16.2), respectively. While there was no relationship between SMI and admission NLR, a significant inverse correlation was observed between SMI and follow-up NLR (r = − 0.26; P = 0.007). Lower SMI remained significantly associated (P = 0.036) with higher follow-up NLR levels in multivariate analysis. Our findings highlight the importance of muscle mass as a novel factor related to the level of post-stroke stress response.

New Scanographic Index for the Detection of Frailty in Patients with Cirrhosis with a Prognostic Impact.

Frailty is linked to an increased incidence of hepatic decompensation and mortality in cirrhosis. The aim of our study was to identify a novel scanographic score that predicts frailty and its impact in cirrhosis. This study included 51 patients with cirrhosis. We used the frailty scale risk assessment score to identify frail patients. The density and area of different muscles at L3 level were analyzed on computed tomography (CT) sections. The L3 skeletal muscle area adjusted to height and density ratio (L3-SMDHR) was defined as L3 muscle wall*height/density. The L3-SMHDR is significantly higher in frail patients and in patients with Child B/C scores. Frailty was correlated with L3-SMHDR. Frailty and L3- SMHDR were correlated with liver-related events (LRE). We set the most appropriate cut-offs of L3-SMHDR for both sensitivity and specificity by using the ROC: 5.4 for males and 4.7 for females. The AUROC score was 0.784 for male and 0.975 for female patients. The Kappa score between frailty and L3-SMHDR was 0.752, with a percentage of agreement of 87.5%, showing a substantial agreement. This ratio with the divided categories has a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 76%, a positive predictive value of 79.3% and a negative predictive value of 100%. Patients with high L3-SMHDR have significantly lower survival time and a higher incidence of LRE. The L3-SMHDR is a new index for identifying frailty in cirrhosis by using measurable and reproducible variables. It can be used as a prognostic factor for frailty in patients with cirrhosis.

Exploring previously used thresholds for computed tomography-defined low skeletal muscle mass in predicting functional limitations among lung cancer patients.

Various cutoffs have been used to diagnose computed tomography (CT)-defined low skeletal muscle mass; however, the impact of this variability on predicting physical functional limitations (PFL) remains unclear. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic test metrics for predicting PFLs using a fixed cutoff value from previous reports and sought to create a prediction score that incorporated the skeletal muscle index (SMI) and other clinical factors. In this cross-sectional study including 237 patients with lung cancer, the SMI was assessed using CT-determined skeletal muscle area at the third lumbar vertebra. Physical function was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB) test, with PFL defined as an SPPB score ≤9. We analyzed the diagnostic metrics of the five previous cutoffs for CT-defined low skeletal muscle mass in predicting PFL. The mean age of participants was 66.0 ± 10.4 years. Out of 237 patients, 158 (66.7%) had PFLs. A significant difference was observed in SMI between individuals with and without PFLs (35.7 cm2/m2 ± 7.8 vs. 39.5 cm2/m2 ± 8.4, p < 0.001). Diagnostic metrics of previous cutoffs in predicting PFL showed suboptimal sensitivity (63.29%-91.77%), specificity (11.39%-50.63%), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values (0.516-0.592). Age and the SMI were significant predictors of PFL; therefore, a score for predicting PFL (age - SMI + 21) was constructed, which achieved an AUC value of 0.748. Fixed cutoffs for CT-defined low skeletal muscle mass may inadequately predict PFLs, potentially overlooking declining physical functions in patients with lung cancer.

Body composition and inflammation variables as the potential prognostic factors in epithelial ovarian cancer treated with Olaparib.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a significant cause of mortality among gynecological cancers. While Olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, has demonstrated efficacy in EOC maintenance therapy, individual responses vary. This study aims to assess the prognostic significance of body composition and systemic inflammation markers in EOC patients undergoing initial Olaparib treatment. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 133 EOC patients initiating Olaparib therapy. Progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed through Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. Pre-treatment computed tomography images were utilized to evaluate body composition parameters including subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI), visceral adipose tissue index (VATI), skeletal muscle area index (SMI), and body mineral density (BMD). Inflammatory markers, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), serum albumin, and hemoglobin levels, were also measured. The median follow-up duration was 16 months (range: 5-49 months). Survival analysis indicated that high SATI, high VATI, high SMI, high BMD, low NLR, and low PLR were associated with decreased risk of disease progression (all p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis identified several factors independently associated with poor PFS, including second or further lines of therapy (HR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.09-4.27, p = 0.027), low VATI (HR = 3.79; 95% CI = 1.48-9.70, p = 0.005), low SMI (HR = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.11-5.72, p = 0.027), low BMD (HR = 2.36; 95% CI = 1.22-4.54, p = 0.010), and high NLR (HR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.14-0.69, p = 0.004). Subgroup analysis in serous adenocarcinoma patients revealed distinct prognostic capabilities of SATI, VATI, SMI, PLR, and NLR. Body composition and inflammation variables hold promise as predictors of therapeutic response to Olaparib in EOC patients. Understanding their prognostic significance could facilitate tailored treatment strategies, potentially improving patient outcomes.

AI-based fully automatic image analysis: Optimal abdominal and thoracic segmentation volumes for estimating total muscle volume on computed tomography scans

ObjectivesEvaluation of sarcopenia from computed tomography (CT) is often based on measuring skeletal muscle area on a single transverse slice. Automatic segmentation of muscle volume has a lower variance and may be a better proxy for the total muscle volume than single-slice areas. The aim of the study was to determine which abdominal and thoracic anatomical volumes were best at predicting the total muscle volume. MethodsA cloud-based artificial intelligence tool (recomia.org) was used to segment all skeletal muscle of the torso of 994 patients who had performed whole-torso CT 2008–2020 for various clinical indications. Linear regression models for several anatomical volumes and single-slice areas were compared with regard to predicting the total torso muscle volume. ResultsThe muscle volume from the tip of the coccyx and 25 cm cranially was the best of the abdominal volumes and was significantly better than the L3 slice muscle area (R2 0.935 vs 0.830, P < 0.0001). For thoracic volumes, the muscle volume between the top of the sternum to the lower bound of the Th12 vertebra showed the best correlation with the total volume, significantly better than the Th12 slice muscle area (R2 0.892 vs 0.775, P < 0.0001). Adjusting for body height improved the correlation slightly for all measurements but did not significantly change the ordering. ConclusionsWe identified muscle volumes that can be reliably segmented by automated image analysis which is superior to single slice areas in predicting total muscle volume.