Associação entre características da massa muscular esquelética e sobrevida em idosos com câncer gastrointestinal: estudo longitudinal

Abstract

Some characteristics of skeletal muscle mass (MME) are considered prognostic markers of postoperative complications, toxicity and mortality in cancer patients. However, little is known about the potential predictor of MME characteristics for the survival of elderly cancer patients. The objective of the present study was to analyze whether characteristics of MME, considering morphological aspects (quantity and quality ) and function (muscular and physical), are associated with the survival of elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancer. A total of 144 participants (mean age 69.73 ± 8.1 years) were included in this longitudinal study. The quantity and quality of MME were assessed by computed tomography images of the abdominal region. Muscle and physical function were assessed by the handgrip strength and gait speed test, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival curves and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was adjusted to assess the prognostic factors. A total of 37 deaths were recorded. Only normal muscle strength was associated with increased patient survival over a period of 20 months (Log-rank = 6.18; P = 0.01) and lower mortality (adjusted analysis; HR = 0.33; 95% CI [0 , 13-0.83]; P = 0.02). In conclusion, normal muscle strength is associated with longer survival and lower mortality rates in elderly patients with GI cancer.