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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Sarcopenia | Research

The effect of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity on survival in gastric cancer

Authors: Muzaffer Ece Hakan Şahin, Feray Akbaş, Aytul Hande Yardimci, Eren Şahin

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Sarcopenic obesity arises from increased muscle catabolism triggered by inflammation and inactivity. Its significance lies in its role in contributing to morbidity and mortality in gastric cancer. This study aims to explore the potential correlation between sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and gastric cancer, as well as their effect on survival.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 162 patients aged ≥ 18 years who were diagnosed with stomach cancer. Patient age, gender, diagnostic laboratory results, and cancer characteristics were documented. Sarcopenia was assessed using the skeletal muscle index (SMI) (cm2/m2), calculated by measuring muscle mass area from a cross-sectional image at the L3 vertebra level of computed tomography (CT).

Results

Among the 162 patients, 52.5% exhibited sarcopenia (with cut-off limits of 52.4 cm2/m2 for males and 38.5 cm2/m2 for females), and 4.9% showed sarcopenic obesity. Average skeletal muscle area (SMA) was 146.8 cm2; SMI was 50.6 cm2/m2 in men and 96.9 cm2 and 40.6 cm2/m2 in women, respectively. Sarcopenia significantly reduced mean survival (p = 0.033). There was no association between sarcopenic obesity and mortality (p > 0.05), but mortality was higher in sarcopenic obesity patients (p = 0.041). Patient weight acted as a protective factor against mortality, supporting the obesity paradox. Tumor characteristics, metabolic parameters, and concurrent comorbidities did not significantly impact sarcopenia or mortality.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia is more prevalent in the elderly population and is linked to increased mortality in gastric cancer patients. Paradoxically, higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with improved survival. Computed tomography offers a practical and reliable method for measuring muscle mass and distinguishing these distinctions.

Trial registration

This study was approved by Istanbul Training and Research Hospital Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the University of Health Sciences (29.05.2020/2383).
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Metadata
Title
The effect of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity on survival in gastric cancer
Authors
Muzaffer Ece Hakan Şahin
Feray Akbaş
Aytul Hande Yardimci
Eren Şahin
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-023-11423-y

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