Sarcopenia, intramuscular fat deposition, and visceral adiposity independently predict the outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma

Impact of Skeletal Muscle Mass Index, Intramuscular Adipose Tissue Content, and Visceral to Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Area Ratio on Early Mortality of Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle depletion has been shown to be an independent risk factor for poor survival in various diseases. However, in surgery, the significance of other body components including visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue remains unclear.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 250 adult patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) between January 2008 and April 2015. Using preoperative plain computed tomography imaging at the third lumbar vertebra level, skeletal muscle mass, muscle quality, and visceral adiposity were evaluated by the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC), and visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue area ratio (VSR), respectively. The cutoff values of these parameters were determined for men and women separately using the data of 657 healthy donors for LDLT between 2005 and 2016. Impact of these parameters on outcomes after LDLT was analyzed.

RESULTS

VSR was significantly correlated with patient age (P = 0.041), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (P < 0.001), body mass index (P < 0.001), and SMI (P = 0.001). The overall survival probability was significantly lower in patients with low SMI (P < 0.001), high IMAC (P < 0.001), and high VSR (P < 0.001) than in each respective normal group. On multivariate analysis, low SMI (hazard ratio [HR], 2.367, P = 0.002), high IMAC (HR, 2.096, P = 0.004), and high VSR (HR, 2.213, P = 0.003) were identified as independent risk factors for death after LDLT.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative visceral adiposity, as well as low muscularity, was closely involved with posttransplant mortality.

Effect of psoas muscle mass after endoscopic therapy for patients with esophageal varices

We aimed to investigate the impact of decrease of muscle mass on survival after eradication of esophageal varices (EVs) treated by endoscopic therapies as a primary prophylaxis in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). In all, 177 LC individuals with EVs undergoing endoscopic therapies were analyzed. We retrospectively examined the impact of muscle mass decrease as determined by psoas muscle mass (PMM) at the third lumber on computed tomography (depletion of PMM [DPMM]) on survival as compared with serum sodium combined Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD-Na). In comparison of the effects of these parameters, we used time-dependent receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. We also investigated parameters related to overall survival in the univariate and multivariate analyses. This study included 116 males and 61 females with a median age of 66 years. The median follow-up periods were 2.7 years (range 0.1-9.6 years). In all, 110 patients (62.1%) had DPMM. The median MELD-Na score was 7.200 (range -3.451 to 30.558). The MELD-Na score in patients with DPMM (median 7.685) was significantly higher than that in patients without DPMM (median 6.235) (P = .0212). In the multivariate analysis, presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (P < .0001), presence of DPMM (P < .0001), and MELD-Na ≥7.2 (P = .0438) were revealed to be significant predictors related to overall survival. In time-dependent ROC analyses, all area under the ROCs for DPMM in each time point were higher than those for MELD-Na in the entire cohort and in patients without hepatocellular carcinoma at baseline (n = 133). In conclusion, for LC patients treated by endoscopic therapies for EVs, DPMM had stronger prognostic impact than MELD-Na.

Body composition measurement using computed tomography: Does the phase of the scan matter?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine, from the methodologic standpoint, the effect of the presence or absence of intravenous contrast on body composition variables obtained by analysis of computed tomography (CT) images.

METHODS

Triphasic abdominal (noncontrast, arterial phase, and portovenous phase contrast) CT scans from 111 patients were analyzed by two independent assessors at the third lumbar vertebral level using SliceOmatic software (version 5.0, TomoVision, Montreal, Canada). Variables included skeletal muscle index (SMI), fat and fat-free mass (FM and FFM, respectively), and mean skeletal muscle Hounsfield units (SMHU).

RESULTS

Mean SMHU was lowest in the noncontrast phase (29.4, standard deviation [SD] 8.9 HU), followed by arterial (32.4, SD 9.3 HU) then portovenous phases (34.9, SD 9.4 HU). The mean skeletal muscle attenuation was significantly different depending on the phase of the scan in which the images were obtained. Calculated FM was significantly lower in both arterial (28.6, SD 8.8 kg, P < 0.0001) and portovenous phase scans (28.5, SD 8.9 kg, P < 0.0001) when compared with noncontrast (29.2, SD 8.9 kg). The mean FFM was not significantly different as measured on noncontrast, arterial, or portovenous phase CT scans (48, SD 11.2; 48.1, SD 9.8; and 48.6, SD 10.2 kg, respectively). No difference was seen in SMI. Interobserver reliability was high.

CONCLUSIONS

The definition of myosteatosis should include a standardized phase of CT for analysis and this should be incorporated within its definition. However, as the magnitudes of the differences were relatively small, the effect of the phase of the scan on predicting outcome needs to be determined.

Relationships between fatty infiltration in the thigh and calf in women with knee osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

In individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA), fatty infiltration into thigh muscle is associated with poor physical performance and strength. However, it is not known whether this also occurs in the calf and if this impacts physical function.

AIMS

We investigated the relationships between volumes of intramuscular fat (intraMF), intermuscular fat (IMF), subcutaneous fat (SCF), lean muscle and muscle adiposity, in the thighs compared to the calves of women with knee OA.

METHODS

MRI scans of the thigh and calf were acquired from 20 women over 55 years with knee OA (3.0T Discovery MR750, GE Healthcare). Axial IDEAL (iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation) fat-separated images were segmented to quantify intraMF, IMF, SCF and lean muscle volumes (SliceOmatic 5.0, Tomovision). Correlation and linear regression analyses were run.

RESULTS

We found a positive relationship between thigh and calf intraMF (R ² = 0.592; B = 5.49; p = 0.001), muscle adiposity (R ² = 0.539; B = 0.567; p = 0.001), and SCF volume (R ² = 0.699; B = 12.847; p = 0.001), controlling for waist-to-hip ratio. Relationships between thigh and calf IMF (R ² = 0.239; B = 7.743; p = 0.061), lean muscle (R ² = 0.245; B = 4.149; p = 0.047) and combined intraMF and IMF volume (R ² = 0.242; B = 6.162; p = 0.044) were not significant.

DISCUSSION

Although a correlation exists between thigh and calf muscle adiposity, intraMF and SCF, this does not hold true for IMF or lean muscle. A greater amount of intraMF infiltration occurs in the thigh compared to the calf of women with knee OA.

CONCLUSION

The calf and thigh may both be involved in pathologic changes in muscle composition in knee OA.

Low skeletal muscle radiation attenuation and visceral adiposity are associated with overall survival and surgical site infections in patients with pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Cancer cachexia and skeletal muscle wasting are related to poor survival. In this study, quantitative body composition measurements using computed tomography (CT) were investigated in relation to survival, post-operative complications, and surgical site infections in surgical patients with cancer of the head of the pancreas.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of 199 patients with cancer of the head of the pancreas was analysed by CT imaging at the L3 level to determine (i) muscle radiation attenuation (average Hounsfield units of total L3 skeletal muscle); (ii) visceral adipose tissue area; (iii) subcutaneous adipose tissue area; (iv) intermuscular adipose tissue area; and (v) skeletal muscle area. Sex-specific cut-offs were determined at the lower tertile for muscle radiation attenuation and skeletal muscle area and the higher tertile for adipose tissues. These variables of body composition were related to overall survival, severe post-operative complications (Dindo-Clavien ≥ 3), and surgical site infections (wounds inspected daily by an independent trial nurse) using Cox-regression analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

Low muscle radiation attenuation was associated with shorter survival in comparison with moderate and high muscle radiation attenuation [median survival 10.8 (95% CI: 8.8-12.8) vs. 17.4 (95% CI: 14.7-20.1), and 18.5 (95% CI: 9.2-27.8) months, respectively; P < 0.008]. Patient subgroups with high muscle radiation attenuation combined with either low visceral adipose tissue or age <70 years had longer survival than other subgroups (P = 0.011 and P = 0.001, respectively). Muscle radiation attenuation was inversely correlated with intermuscular adipose tissue (r_p  = -0.697, P < 0.001). High visceral adipose tissue was associated with an increased surgical site infection rate, OR: 2.4 (95% CI: 1.1-5.3; P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Low muscle radiation attenuation was associated with reduced survival, and high visceral adiposity was associated with an increase in surgical site infections. The strong correlation between muscle radiation attenuation and intermuscular adipose tissue suggests the presence of ectopic fat in muscle, warranting further investigation. CT image analysis could be implemented in pre-operative risk assessment to assist in treatment decision-making.

Clinical impact of postoperative loss in psoas major muscle and nutrition index after radical cystectomy for patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Background

Although the significance of preoperative nutritional status has been investigated, there is no report regarding the relationship of their postoperative changes on outcomes in patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Here, we report the clinical impact of the change, from baseline, in nutritional status and volume of abdominal skeletal muscle mass and adipose tissue after radical cystetomy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 89 patients with bladder cancer, who underwent curative radical cystectomy, was conducted to assess the time course of change, from baseline, in body composition and nutritional status at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, after surgery. Skeletal muscle mass and abdominal adipose tissue mass were quantified by unenhanced computed tomography images. Two different nutritional indices, the Prognostic Nutritional Index and the Controlling Nutritional Status score were calculated from laboratory blood tests. We evaluated the prognostic value of the rate of change in the body composition and nutritional status after radical cystectomy.

Results

The cross-sectional area at the level of the third lumbar vertebra of the psoas major muscle and nutritional indices showed a transient deterioration at 1 and 3 months after radical cystectomy, with a return to baseline values from 6 to 24 months. A ≤ −10% loss in the area of the psoas muscle was associated with a shorter overall survival, compared to those with a > −10 change [hazard ratio (HR) 2.2, P = 0.02]. Multivariate analyzes identified sarcopenia status at baseline (HR 2.2, P = 0.03) and a ≤ −10% loss in the psoas muscle (HR 2.4, P = 0.02) were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall survival. A subanalysis of patients without sarcopenia identified a worse survival outcome for patients with a ≤ −10% loss in the psoas muscle (HR 2.6, P = 0.03) and ≤ − 5 change in the Prognostic Nutritional Index (HR 3.6, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Further research is required to establish appropriate rehabilitation protocols and nutritional interventions after radical cystectomy for maintaining skeletal muscle mass and nutrition status which could counteract physical deterioration and improve outcomes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3231-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prognostic Value of Computed Tomography: Measured Parameters of Body Composition in Primary Operable Gastrointestinal Cancers

Background

Previous reports suggest that body composition parameters can be used to predict outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. However, evidence for an association with long-term survival is conflicting, with much of the data derived from patients with advanced disease. This study examined the effect of body composition on survival in primary operable GI cancer.

Methods

Patients with resectable adenocarcinoma of the GI tract (esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum) between 2006 and 2014 were identified from a prospective database. Computed tomography (CT) scans were analyzed using a transverse section at L3 to calculate sex-specific body composition indices for skeletal muscle, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat. Kaplan–Meier and log-rank analysis were used to compare unadjusted survival. Multivariate survival analyses were performed using a proportional hazards model.

Results

The study enrolled 447 patients (191 woman and 256 men) with esophagogastric (OG) (n = 108) and colorectal (CR) (n = 339) cancer. Body composition did not predict survival for the OG cancer patients. Among the CR cancer patients, survival was shorter for those with sarcopenia (p = 0.017) or low levels of subcutaneous fat (p = 0.005). Older age (p = 0.046) and neutrophilia (p = 0.013) were associated with sarcopenia in patients with CR. Tumor stage (p = 0.033), neutrophil count (p = 0.011), and hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.023) were associated with sarcopenia in OG cancer patients. In the multivariate analysis, no single measure of body composition was an independent predictor of reduced survival.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia and reduced subcutaneous adiposity are associated with reduced survival for patients with primary operable CR cancer. However, in this study, no parameter of body composition was an independent prognostic marker when considered with age, tumor stage, and systemic inflammation.

Statistical approaches for evaluating body composition markers in clinical cancer research

INTRODUCTION

The term 'morphomics' stands for the markers of body composition in muscle and adipose tissues. in recent years, as part of clinical cancer research, several associations between morphomics and outcome or toxicity were found in different treatment settings leading to a growing interest. we aim to review statistical approaches used to evaluate these markers and suggest practical statistical recommendations. Area covered: We identified statistical methods used recently to take into account properties of morphomics measurements. We also reviewed adjustment methods on major confounding factors such as gender and approaches to model morphomic data, especially mixed models for repeated measures. Finally, we focused on methods for determining a cut-off for a morphomic marker that could be used in clinical practice and how to assess its robustness. Expert commentary: From our review, we proposed 13 key points to strengthen analyses and reporting of clinical research assessing associations between morphomics and outcome or toxicity.

A practical approach to nutritional screening and assessment in cirrhosis

Malnutrition is one of the most common complications of cirrhosis, associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. As a potentially modifiable condition, it is of particular importance to identify malnourished patients so that nutritional therapy can be instituted. Nutrition screening and assessment are infrequently performed in patients with cirrhosis. The reasons for this are multifactorial, including the absence of a validated "rapid" screening tool, multiple definitions of what constitutes malnutrition, and challenges with interpreting body composition and laboratory results in the setting of volume overload and liver dysfunction. This article summarizes the clinically relevant evidence and presents key issues, tools, and clinical options that are applicable to patients with cirrhosis. The definition, etiology, and clinically relevant outcomes associated with malnutrition are reviewed. Rapid nutritional screening is differentiated from more detailed nutritional assessment. Nutritional assessment in special populations, including women and the obese, and the role of inflammation are discussed. Multicenter studies using a common nutritional screening/assessment strategy are the next steps to fast-track adoption and implementation of nutrition-related evaluations into routine clinical practice. (Hepatology 2017;65:1044-1057).

Effects of in-hospital exercise on liver function, physical ability, and muscle mass during treatment of hepatoma in patients with chronic liver disease

AIMS

Sarcopenia and physical disability assessed by a 6-min walking test (6MWT) are associated with poor prognosis of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). However, CLD patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mostly rest in bed during hospitalization. We aimed to investigate the effects of therapeutic exercise on liver function, 6MWT, and skeletal muscle mass during HCC treatment in patients with CLD.

METHODS

We enrolled 54 CLD patients with HCC (median age, 76 years). During hospitalization, patients performed a combination of stretching, strength training, balance practice, and endurance training (2.5-4 metabolic equivalents/20 min/day). Primary outcomes were changes from admission to discharge in Child-Pugh class, 6MWT, and skeletal muscle mass. Furthermore, factors associated with skeletal muscle atrophy were analyzed by a decision-tree analysis.

RESULTS

Exercise did not worsen the Child-Pugh class. On discharge, the 6MWT ambulation distance was maintained, and heart rate variability during the 6MWT was significantly improved compared to that on admission (area under the curve 50.3 vs. 39.0 arbitrary units; P = 0.0027). Although skeletal muscle mass was significantly reduced (20.6 kg vs. 20.0 kg, P = 0.0301), branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) treatment was identified as the most distinguishable factor for minimizing muscle mass atrophy (-1.1 kg vs. -0.5 kg/hospitalization).

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic exercise improved physical ability without worsening liver function during hospitalization for HCC treatment in CLD patients. Although exercise did not completely prevent skeletal muscle atrophy, BCAA treatment minimized the skeletal muscle atrophy. Thus, exercise with BCAA treatment may be important for the management of CLD patients with HCC.

Application of morphometric analysis to patients with lung cancer metastasis to the spine: a clinical study

OBJECTIVE Predicting the survival rate for patients with cancer is currently performed using the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors (TNM). Identifying accurate prognostic markers of survival would allow better treatment stratification between more aggressive treatment strategies or palliation. This is especially relevant for patients with spinal metastases, who all have identical TNM staging and whose surgical decision-making is potentially complex. Analytical morphometrics quantifies patient frailty by measuring lean muscle mass and can predict risk for postoperative morbidity after lumbar spine surgery. This study evaluates whether morphometrics can be predictive of survival in patients with spinal metastases. METHODS Utilizing a retrospective registry of patients with spinal metastases who had undergone stereotactic body radiation therapy, the authors identified patients with primary lung cancer. Morphometric measurements were taken of the psoas muscle using CT of the lumbar spine. Additional morphometrics were taken of the L-4 vertebral body. Patients were stratified into tertiles based on psoas muscle area. The primary outcome measure was overall survival, which was measured from the date of the patient's CT scan to date of death. RESULTS A total of 168 patients were identified, with 54% male and 54% having multiple-level metastases. The median survival for all patients was 185.5 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 146-228 days). Survival was not associated with age, sex, or the number of levels of metastasis. Patients in the smallest tertile for the left psoas area had significantly shorter survival compared with a combination of the other two tertiles: 139 days versus 222 days, respectively, hazard ratio (HR) 1.47, 95% CI 1.06-2.04, p = 0.007. Total psoas tertiles were not predictive of mortality, but patients whose total psoas size was below the median size had significantly shorter survival compared with those greater than the median size: 146 days versus 253.5 days, respectively, HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.05-1.94, p = 0.025. To try to differentiate small body habitus from frailty, the ratio of psoas muscle area to vertebral body area was calculated. Total psoas size became predictive of mortality when normalized to vertebral body ratio, with patients in the lowest tertile having significantly shorter survival (p = 0.017). Left psoas to vertebral body ratio was also predictive of mortality in patients within the lowest tertile (p = 0.021). Right psoas size was not predictive of mortality in any calculations. CONCLUSIONS In patients with lung cancer metastases to the spine, morphometric analysis of psoas muscle and vertebral body size can be used to identify patients who are at risk for shorter survival. This information should be used to select patients who are appropriate candidates for surgery and for the tailoring of oncological treatment regimens.

Prognostic Significance of Sarcopenia in Patients with Esophagogastric Junction Cancer or Upper Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

The association between sarcopenia and postoperative outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the impact of sarcopenia on short- and long-term outcomes after surgery for esophagogastric junction cancer (EGJC) or upper gastric cancer (UGC).

METHODS

The study reviewed 148 patients with EGJC or UGC who underwent surgical resection. The patients were categorized into the sarcopenia group or the non-sarcopenia group according to their skeletal muscle index calculated using abdominal computed tomography images. The study compared clinicopathologic factors, postoperative complications, and prognosis between the two groups.

RESULTS

Sarcopenia was present in 19 patients (32.2%) with EGJC and 23 patients (25.8%) with UGC. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were significantly poorer in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group (OS 85.5 vs 54.8%, P = 0.0010; RFS 78.7 vs 51.7%, P = 0.0054). The development of postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. Both the uni- and multivariate analyses showed that N stage (P < 0.0001) and sarcopenia (P = 0.0024 and 0.0293, respectively) were independent poor prognostic factors for OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia was strongly associated with a poor long-term prognosis for patients with EGJC or UGC who underwent surgery. The results suggest that special attention might be needed during the development of treatment strategies for patients with sarcopenia who intend to undergo operations for EGJC and UGC.

Clinical impact of sarcopenia and relevance of nutritional intake in patients before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

PURPOSE

We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the effect of rehabilitation on minimizing sarcopenia during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) therapy.

METHODS

We developed a protocol to test for retention of physical function during HSCT. Muscle strength, muscle circumference, and muscle function before and after HSCT were measured. Consecutive patients with hematological malignancies who underwent HSCT treatment were recruited in this research.

RESULTS

We included 34 patients (16 females, 18 males; median age, 51.5 years). Bodyweight significantly decreased after HSCT (p < 0.001). Nine females and three males had sarcopenia prior to allogeneic HSCT. After HSCT, bilateral hand grip strength and bilateral knee extensor strength decreased significantly. The total caloric intakes for pre-conditioning, during preparation regimen, and after transplant were 1709, 1024, and 1445 kcal, respectively, and were significantly attenuated in the post-transplant period. Serum albumin was significantly decreased in the final period. Conversely, C-reactive protein was slightly but significantly increased across the transplantation process. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that oral caloric intake after the transplantation period and sex were significantly related to muscle weakness (p = 0.033 and 0.036, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia during HSCT was affected by oral caloric intake during the preparation regimen and after transplantation. Physical therapy in conjunction with nutritional therapy may help prevent weakness in HSCT recipients.

Sarcopenia predicts reduced survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma at first diagnosis

 Background. Sarcopenia is a complication and independent risk factor for mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis.

AIM

To assess the prevalence and influence of sarcopenia on overall survival in a cohort of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma managed in a tertiary center.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Abdominal computed tomography of 92 consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma cirrhotic patients, enrolled and followed from 2004 to 2014, were retrospectively studied with a software analyzing the cross-sectional areas of muscles at third lumbar vertebra level. Data was normalized for height, skeletal muscle index (SMI) calculated and presence of Sarcopenia measured. Sarcopenia was defined by SMI ≤ 41 cm2/m2 for women and ≤ 53 cm2/m2 for men with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25, and ≤ 43 cm2/m2 for men and women with BMI < 25, respectively.

RESULTS

Median age at diagnosis was 71.9 years (30.7-86.4) and BMI 24.7 (17.5-36.7), comparable in women 23.1, (17.5-36.7) and men 24.7 (18.4-36.7). A class of CHILD score and BCLC A prevailed (55.4% and 41.3%, respectively); metastatic disease was found in 12% of cases. Sarcopenia was present in 40.2% of cases, mostly in females (62.9%; p = 0.005). Mean overall survival was reduced in sarcopenic patients, 66 (95% CI 47 to 84) vs. 123 (95% CI 98 to 150) weeks (p = 0.001). At multivariate analysis, sarcopenia was a predictor of reduced overall survival, independent of age (p = 0.0027).

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective study shows high prevalence of sarcopenia among cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Presence of sarcopenia was identified as independent predictor of reduced overall survival. As easily measurable by CT, sarcopenia should be determined for prognostic purposes in this patient population.

Compensating effect of minor portal hypertension on the muscle mass loss-related poor prognosis in cirrhosis

Background: To examine the influence of the severity of portal hemodynamic abnormality on the prognosis of cirrhosis with respect to the muscle mass loss (MML). Methods: The study involved a subgroup analysis in 98 cirrhosis patients (63.5 ± 11.8 years) who prospectively underwent both Doppler ultrasound and hepatic venous catheterization. The prognostic influence of MML diagnosed by computed tomography using the L3 skeletal muscle index was evaluated (median observation period, 32.7 months). Results: The cumulative survival rate showed difference between patients with MML (n = 34; 82.2%/1year, 41.2%/3years and 36.1%/5years) and those without (n = 64; 92.1%/1year, 74.9%/3years and 69.4%/5years; P = 0.005). When divided with respect to the portal velocity, the survival rate showed differences between patients with and without MML in the cohort < 12.8 cm/s (n=52, p=0.009) and ≥ 12.8 cm/s (n=44, p=0.041). The survival rate also showed differences between patients with MML (n = 24; 78.8%/1year, 40.6%/3years and 34.8%/5years) and those without (n = 45; 91.1%/1year, 71.3%/3years and 63.1%/5years; P = 0.008) in the cohort with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) > 12 mmHg. However, in the cohort with HVPG ≤ 12 mmHg, survival rate showed no difference between patients with MML (n=10; 100%/1year, 61.9%/3years and 61.9%/5years) and those without (n=19; 93.8%/1year, 71.2%/3years and 59.4%/5years; p = 0.493) Conclusion: Lower HVPG has a compensating effect on the MML-induced poor prognosis of cirrhosis. Care should be taken in the evaluation of the influence of MML in consideration of the severity of portal hypertension.

Slow Gait Speed Is an Independent Predictor of Early Death in Older Cancer Outpatients: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the predictive value of gait speed for early death in older outpatients with cancer.

DESIGN

Prospective bicentric observational cohort study.

SETTING

The Physical Frailty in Elder Cancer patients (PF-EC) study (France).

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and ninety outpatients with cancer during the first 6 months of follow up in the PF-EC study.

MEASUREMENTS

The association between usual gait speed over 4 m alone (GS) or included in the short physical performance battery (SPPB) and overall survival within 6 months following a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). A Cox proportional-hazard regression model was performed in non-survivors for clinical factors from the CGA, along with c reactive protein (CRP). Two models were created to assess GS alone and from inclusion in the SPPB.

RESULTS

The mean age was 80.6 years, and 50.5% of the participants were men. Death occurred in 11% (n=22) of the participants within the 6 month follow up period. Of these participants, 98% had solid cancers, and 33% had a metastatic disease. A GS < 0.8 m/s (HR=5.6, 95%CI=1.6-19.7, p=0.007), a SPPB < 9 (HR=5.8, 95%CI=1.6-20.9, p=0.007) and a CRP of 50 mg/l or greater (p<0.0001) were significantly associated with early death in the two multivariate analyses. Cancer site and extension were not significantly associated with early death.

CONCLUSION

Walking tests are associated with early death within the 6 month follow up period after a CGA independent of cancer site and cancer extension. GS alone < 0.8 m/s is at least as efficacious as the SPPB in predicting this outcome. GS alone could be used routinely as a marker of early death to adapt oncologic therapeutics. Further studies are needed to validate these preliminary data.

Obesity and Energy Balance in GI Cancer

The prevalence of overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25 to 29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) have increased dramatically in the United States. Because increasing BMI is associated with the development of multiple different cancer types, including most GI cancers, providers will frequently encounter patients with GI cancer who are overweight or obese. Mounting evidence associates overweight and/or obesity with worsened prognosis in multiple GI cancers, including esophageal, gastric, hepatocellular, pancreatic, and colorectal. However, these data are observational and may be subject to bias and/or confounding. Furthermore, in some cancer types, the associations between BMI and outcomes is not linear, where overweight and class I obese patients may have an improvement in outcome. This report provides a brief highlight of existing studies that have linked overweight and/or obesity to prognosis in GI cancer; provides recommendations on best management practices; and discusses limitations, controversies, and future directions in this rapidly evolving area. There are multiple areas of promise that warrant continued investigation: What are the comparative contributions of energy balance, including weight, dietary patterns, and physical activity on cancer prognosis? What are the specific physiologic pathways that mediate the relationship between energy balance and prognosis? What is the relationship between low muscle mass (sarcopenia) or sarcopenic obesity and cancer prognosis? Are there subsets of patients for whom purposefully altering energy balance would be deleterious to prognosis? This area is rich with opportunities to understand how states of energy (im)balance can be favorably altered to promote healthy survivorship.

Sarcopenia from mechanism to diagnosis and treatment in liver disease

Sarcopenia or loss of skeletal muscle mass is the major component of malnutrition and is a frequent complication in cirrhosis that adversely affects clinical outcomes. These include survival, quality of life, development of other complications and post liver transplantation survival. Radiological image analysis is currently utilized to diagnose sarcopenia in cirrhosis. Nutrient supplementation and physical activity are used to counter sarcopenia but have not been consistently effective because the underlying molecular and metabolic abnormalities persist or are not influenced by these treatments. Even though alterations in food intake, hypermetabolism, alterations in amino acid profiles, endotoxemia, accelerated starvation and decreased mobility may all contribute to sarcopenia in cirrhosis, hyperammonemia has recently gained attention as a possible mediator of the liver-muscle axis. Increased muscle ammonia causes: cataplerosis of α-ketoglutarate, increased transport of leucine in exchange for glutamine, impaired signaling by leucine, increased expression of myostatin (a transforming growth factor beta superfamily member) and an increased phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species that decrease protein synthesis and increased autophagy mediated proteolysis, also play a role. These molecular and metabolic alterations may contribute to the anabolic resistance and inadequate response to nutrient supplementation in cirrhosis. Central and skeletal muscle fatigue contributes to impaired exercise capacity and responses. Use of proteins with low ammoniagenic potential, leucine enriched amino acid supplementation, long-term ammonia lowering strategies and a combination of resistance and endurance exercise to increase muscle mass and function may target the molecular abnormalities in the muscle. Strategies targeting endotoxemia and the gut microbiome need further evaluation.

Impact of Skeletal Muscle Mass, Muscle Quality, and Visceral Adiposity on Outcomes Following Resection of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Decrease in skeletal muscle mass and function, known as sarcopenia, is associated with poor prognosis. Visceral fat accumulation also is related to mortality. This study investigated the impact of preoperative skeletal muscle mass, muscle quality, and visceral adiposity on outcomes in patients undergoing resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed of 109 patients undergoing resections of ICC between January 2004 and April 2015. Skeletal muscle mass [skeletal muscle index (SMI)], skeletal muscle quality [muscle attenuation (MA)], and visceral adiposity [visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue area ratio (VSR)] were measured on preoperative computed tomography images. The impacts of these parameters on outcomes after ICC resections were analyzed.

RESULTS

The overall survival rates were significantly lower in patients with low SMI (P = 0.002), low MA (P = 0.032), and high VSR (P = 0.026) compared with patients with high SMI, high MA, and low VSR, respectively. With multivariate analyses, in patients with stage I-III, low SMI (hazard ratio (HR) 3.29, P = 0.003) and low MA (HR 2.86, P = 0.010) were revealed as independent significant risk factors for mortality. In patients with stage IV, none of these parameters was identified as risk factors, with only the absence of adjuvant chemotherapy identified as an independent risk factor for mortality (HR 5.92, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although stage was the most important factor, low skeletal muscle mass and quality were closely related to mortality after resection of ICC in patients with stage I-III.

Low muscle attenuation is a prognostic factor for survival in metastatic breast cancer patients treated with first line palliative chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Low muscle mass (LMM) and low muscle attenuation (LMA) reflect low muscle quantity and low muscle quality, respectively. Both are associated with a poor outcome in several types of solid malignancies. This study determined the association of skeletal muscle measures with overall survival (OS) and time to next treatment (TNT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A skeletal muscle index (SMI) in cm²/m² and muscle attenuation (MA) in Hounsfield units (HU) were measured using abdominal CT-images of 166 patients before start of first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. Low muscle mass (SMI <41 cm²/m²), sarcopenic obesity (LMM and BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and low muscle attenuation (MA <41 HU and BMI <25 kg/m2 or MA <33 HU and BMI ≥25 kg/m2) were related to OS and TNT.

RESULTS

The prevalence of LMM, sarcopenic obesity and LMA were 66.9%, 7.2% and 59.6% respectively. LMM and sarcopenic obesity showed no significant association with OS and TNT, whereas LMA was associated with both lower OS (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.34-3.12, p = 0.001) and shorter TNT (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.14-2.62, p = 0.010). Patients with LMA had a median OS and TNT of 15 and 8 months respectively, compared to 23 and 10 months in patients with normal MA.

CONCLUSION

LMA is a prognostic factor for OS and TNT in metastatic breast cancer patients receiving first-line palliative chemotherapy, whereas LMM and sarcopenic obesity are not. Further research is needed to establish what impact LMA should have in daily clinical practice.

Gender Differences in Adipocyte Metabolism and Liver Cancer Progression

Liver cancer is the third most common cancer type and the second leading cause of deaths in men. Large population studies have demonstrated remarkable gender disparities in the incidence and the cumulative risk of liver cancer. A number of emerging risk factors regarding metabolic alterations associated with obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia have been ascribed to the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) and ultimately liver cancer. The deregulation of fat metabolism derived from excessive insulin, glucose, and lipid promotes cancer-causing inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress, which eventually triggers the uncontrolled hepatocellular proliferation. This review presents the current standing on the gender differences in body fat compositions and their mechanistic linkage with the development of NAFLD-related liver cancer, with an emphasis on genetic, epigenetic and microRNA control. The potential roles of sex hormones in instructing adipocyte metabolic programs may help unravel the mechanisms underlying gender dimorphism in liver cancer and identify the metabolic targets for disease management.

Loss of skeletal muscle during neoadjuvant chemotherapy is related to decreased survival in ovarian cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition, weight loss, and muscle wasting (sarcopenia) are common among women with advanced ovarian cancer and have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes and survival. Our objective is to investigate overall survival (OS) related to changes in skeletal muscle (SM) for patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking.

METHODS

Ovarian cancer patients (n = 123) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking in the area of Maastricht (the Netherlands) between 2000 and 2014 were included retrospectively. Surface areas of SM and adipose tissue were defined on computed tomography at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. Low SM at baseline and SM changes during chemotherapy were compared with Kaplan Meier curves, and Cox-regression models were applied to test predictors of OS.

RESULTS

Median OS for patients who lost SM (n = 83) was 916 ± 99 days, which was significantly different from median OS for patients who maintained or gained SM (n = 40), which was 1431 ± 470 days (P = 0.004). Loss of SM was also a significant predictor of OS in multivariable Cox-regression analysis (hazard ratio 1.773 (95%CI: 1.018-3.088), P = 0.043). Low baseline SM did not influence survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ovarian cancer have a worse survival when they lose SM during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Evaluation of low SM at a specific time point is not prognostic for OS. External and prospective validation of these findings is imperative. Nutritional, pharmacological, and/or physical intervention studies are necessary to establish whether SM impairment can be prevented to prolong ovarian cancer survival.

Japan Society of Hepatology guidelines for sarcopenia in liver disease (1st edition): Recommendation from the working group for creation of sarcopenia assessment criteria

Sarcopenia is defined by muscle loss and muscle dysfunction. Sarcopenia is classified into primary and secondary types, based on the cause. Primary sarcopenia is mainly aging-related sarcopenia, whereas secondary sarcopenia is the reduced muscle mass and strength that accompanies an underlying disease. Given the essential role of the liver in metabolism, secondary sarcopenia due to nutritional disorders or other factors can frequently occur in liver disease. In 2015, the Japan Society of Hepatology (JSH) decided to establish its own assessment criteria for sarcopenia in liver disease because the number of liver disease patients with sarcopenia is expected to increase and there is cumulative evidence to indicate sarcopenic patients have poor clinical outcomes. A working group to create assessment criteria for sarcopenia has thus been established by the JSH. In this article, we summarize the current knowledge with regard to sarcopenia and present the assessment criteria for sarcopenia in liver disease proposed by the JSH (1st edition). To the best of our knowledge, this is globally the first proposed assessment criteria for sarcopenia specializing in liver disease.

Influence of IV Contrast Administration on CT Measures of Muscle and Bone Attenuation: Implications for Sarcopenia and Osteoporosis Evaluation

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to characterize enhancement of muscle and bone that occurs on standardized four-phase contrast-enhanced CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed standardized four-phase abdominal CT scans obtained with IV contrast material. The psoas area was measured, and the mean attenuation (in Hounsfield units) was recorded for the aorta, psoas muscles, posterior paraspinal muscles, and L4 vertebral body. CT attenuation measures were compared between anatomic regions and imaging phases with the paired t test; associations between measures were examined with the Pearson correlation coefficient (R).

RESULTS

The study included 201 patients (97 men, 104 women; mean age, 57.7 ± 12.5 [SD] years). Subject age was inversely correlated with unenhanced attenuation in the psoas muscles, posterior paraspinal muscles, and L4 (p < 0.001). The psoas muscles, posterior paraspinal muscles, and L4 enhanced significantly (p < 0.001) at all three contrast-enhanced phases. The greatest muscle enhancement was observed on delayed phase scans, whereas the greatest enhancement in L4 was seen on portal phase imaging. The unenhanced attenuation of the psoas muscles was significantly and negatively correlated with enhancement of the psoas muscles at the portal and delayed phases (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), but these correlations were not seen for the posterior paraspinal muscles. Age was positively correlated with posterior paraspinal muscle enhancement at the portal and delayed phases in men (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) but not in women.

CONCLUSION

Contrast enhancement of commonly measured muscle and bone regions is routinely observed and should be considered when using CT attenuation values as biomarkers of sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Furthermore, CT enhancement may be significantly influenced by age, sex, and unenhanced tissue attenuation.

Time for paradigm change in management of hepatocellular carcinoma: is a personalized approach on the horizon?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most frequent cancer form but the second leading cause of all cancer-related deaths. There are several reasons for high mortality in the HCC cohort: lack of effective screening programs and consequently late diagnosis, multifactorial origin with cumulative risk factors, complex carcinogenesis, tumor heterogeneity, unpredictable impacts of individual microenvironment on tumor development and progression, and, as the consequence, frequently untargeted therapy and cancer resistance toward currently applied treatment approaches. The currently applied 'treat and wait' approach is inappropriate in the overall HCC management. Urgent need in paradigm change toward predictive, preventive and personalized medicine is discussed in this review article. Innovative strategies for an advanced predictive, preventive and personalized medicine approach in the overall HCC management benefiting the patient are presented.

Underweight status predicts a poor prognosis in elderly patients with colorectal cancer

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of underweight status on the survival of elderly patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 113 patients aged ≥75 years who underwent curative surgery for CRC were included. In addition to standard perioperative variables, body mass index (BMI) was assessed. The patients were categorized as underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m²) or non-underweight (BMI≥18.5 kg/m²). The 3-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were analyzed. Of the 113 patients, 24 (21%) were underweight. The two groups were well-balanced regarding all factors evaluated. In the multivariate analysis, underweight status was an independent indicator of lower 3-year OS [hazard ratio (HR)=2.65; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-6.50; P=0.033] and CSS (HR=3.51, 95% CI: 1.16-10.60; P=0.025) rates. Compared with the non-underweight group, the underweight group had significantly worse 3-year OS (66.7 vs. 86.5%, respectively; P=0.017) and CSS (74.1 vs. 90.9%, respectively; P=0.025) rates. Therefore, underweight status was a significant risk factor for poor survival in elderly CRC patients. The development of effective nutritional interventions may improve the prognosis of such patients.

The Prevalence and Prognostic Value of Low Muscle Mass in Cancer Patients: A Review of the Literature

: In several diseases, low muscle mass has been revealed as an unfavorable prognostic factor for outcome. Whether this holds true in patients with solid malignancies as well has increasingly been explored recently. However, this research field is severely hampered by a lack of consensus on how to determine muscle mass in cancer patients and on the definition of low muscle mass. Consequently, the prevalence of low muscle mass varies widely across several studies. Nevertheless, most studies show that, in patients with solid malignancies, low muscle mass is associated with a poor outcome. In the future, more research is needed to get better insight into the best method to determine muscle mass, the exact prognostic value of low muscle mass in diverse tumor types and stages, pathophysiology of low muscle mass in patients with cancer, and ways to intervene and improve muscle mass in patients. This review addresses the current literature on the importance of muscle mass in cancer patients and the methods of muscle measurement.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

An increasing number of studies underline the clinical value of low muscle mass as a prognostic factor for adverse outcomes in cancer patients. However, studies show large heterogeneity because of the lack of a standardized approach to measure muscle mass and the lack of reference populations. As a result, the interpretation of data and further progress are severely hampered, hindering the implementation of muscle measurement in oncological care. This review summarizes the methods of diagnosing low muscle mass in cancer patients, the difference between underlying syndromes such as sarcopenia and cachexia, and the association with clinical outcomes described so far.

Skeletal muscle radiodensity is prognostic for survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Recent research indicates that severe muscular depletion (sarcopenia) is frequent in cancer patients and linked to cachexia and poor survival. Our aim was to investigate if measures of skeletal muscle hold prognostic information in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

We included NSCLC patients with disease stage IIIB/IV, performance status 0-2, enrolled in three randomised trials of first-line chemotherapy (n = 1305). Computed tomography (CT) images obtained before start of treatment were used for body composition analyses at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3). Skeletal muscle mass was assessed by measures of the cross sectional muscle area, from which the skeletal muscle index (SMI) was obtained. Skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD) was measured as the mean Hounsfield unit (HU) of the measured muscle area. A high level of mean HU indicates a high SMD.

RESULTS

Complete data were available for 734 patients, mean age 65 years. Both skeletal muscle index (SMI) and muscle radiodensity (SMD) varied largely. Mean SMI and SMD were 47.7 cm²/m² and 37.4 HU in men (n = 420), 39.6 cm²/m² and 37.0 HU in women (n = 314). Multivariable Cox regression analyses, adjusted for established prognostic factors, showed that SMD was independently prognostic for survival (Hazard ratio (HR) 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, p = 0.001), whereas SMI was not (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-1.01, p = 0.329).

CONCLUSION

Low SMD is associated with poorer survival in advanced NSCLC. Further research is warranted to establish whether muscle measures should be integrated into routine practice to improve prognostic accuracy.

Prognostic value of sarcopenia in adults with solid tumours: A meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

Body composition plays an important role in predicting treatment outcomes in adults with cancer. Using existing computed tomographic (CT) cross-sectional imaging and readily available software, the assessment of skeletal muscle mass to evaluate sarcopenia has become simplified. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the prognostic value of skeletal muscle index (SMI) obtained from cross-sectional CT imaging on clinical outcomes in non-haematologic solid tumours.

METHODS

We searched PubMed and the American Society Clinical Oncology online database of meeting abstracts up to October 2015 for relevant studies. We included studies assessing the prognostic impact of pre-treatment SMI on clinical outcomes in patients with non-haematologic solid tumours. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) and the secondary outcomes included cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease-free survival (DFS), and progression-free survival (PFS). The summary hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 7843 patients from 38 studies were included. SMI lower than the cut-off was associated with poor OS (HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.32-1.56, p < 0.001). The effect of SMI on OS was observed among various tumour types and across disease stages. Worse CSS was also associated with low SMI (HR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.38-2.70, p < 0.001) as well as DFS (HR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.00-1.30, p = 0.014), but not PFS (HR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.90-2.64, p = 0.117).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis demonstrates that low SMI at cancer diagnosis is associated with worse survival in patients with solid tumours. Further research into understanding and mitigating the negative effects of sarcopenia in adults with cancer is needed.

Body Composition Assessment in Axial CT Images Using FEM-Based Automatic Segmentation of Skeletal Muscle

The proportions of muscle and fat tissues in the human body, referred to as body composition is a vital measurement for cancer patients. Body composition has been recently linked to patient survival and the onset/recurrence of several types of cancers in numerous cancer research studies. This paper introduces a fully automatic framework for the segmentation of muscle and fat tissues from CT images to estimate body composition. We developed a novel finite element method (FEM) deformable model that incorporates a priori shape information via a statistical deformation model (SDM) within the template-based segmentation framework. The proposed method was validated on 1000 abdominal and 530 thoracic CT images and we obtained very good segmentation results with Jaccard scores in excess of 90% for both the muscle and fat regions.

Negative impact of low body mass index on liver cirrhosis patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

The impact of obesity on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been well characterized in a Chinese population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of BMI on the clinicopathological characteristics and mortality of patients with HCC.

Methods

The study cohort consisted of 379 patients who were diagnosed with HCC at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between June 2012 and August 2014. Study subjects were divided into two body mass index (BMI) categories: normal weight (BMI <23 kg/m²) and overweight (BMI ≥23 kg/m²).

Results

Of the 379 patients, 44 (11.6 %) were underweight (<18.5 kg/m²), 172 (45.4 %) had a normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23.0), 133 (35.1 %) were overweight (23.0 ≤ BMI < 27.5), and 30 (7.9 %) were obese (BMI ≥27.5). After a median follow-up time of 296 (range, 15–720) days, 168 (44.3 %) patients died with median survival time of 159 (range, 15–690) days. Patients with lower BMIs also exhibited a higher liver-related mortality rate (60.6 vs. 22.7 %; p = 1.8 × 10⁻¹³) and a shorter survival time (353 days vs. 571 days; p = 6.2 × 10⁻⁶) than patients with higher BMIs. In multivariate analysis, the BMI class was also found to be a significant independent impact factor for overall survival (p = 2.2 × 10⁻⁸), age, alpha-fetoprotein level, Child–Pugh score, treatment strategy, antiviral treatment, extrahepatic metastasis, and tumor infiltration of the portal vein.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that lower BMI has a significant impact regarding poor outcomes in patients with HCC. To better understand the impact of BMI on the prognosis of HCC patients, more large-scale cohort studies will be necessary.

Liver Cirrhosis: Evaluation, Nutritional Status, and Prognosis

The liver is the major organ for the metabolism of three major nutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is the major cause of chronic liver disease. Liver cirrhosis (LC) results from different mechanisms of liver injury that lead to necroinflammation and fibrosis. LC has been seen to be not a single disease entity but one that can be graded into distinct clinical stages related to clinical outcome. Several noninvasive methods have been developed for assessing liver fibrosis and these methods have been used for predicting prognosis in patients with LC. On the other hand, subjects with LC often have protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and poor physical activity. These conditions often result in sarcopenia, which is the loss of skeletal muscle volume and increased muscle weakness. Recent studies have demonstrated that PEM and sarcopenia are predictive factors for poorer survival in patients with LC. Based on these backgrounds, several methods for evaluating nutritional status in patients with chronic liver disease have been developed and they have been preferably used in the clinical field practice. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge in the field of LC from the viewpoints of diagnostic method, nutritional status, and clinical outcomes.