The association between sarcopenia and quality of life in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery: an exploratory study

Besson, A; Deftereos, I; Gough, K; Taylor, D; Shannon, R; Yeung, JM

Author(s): Besson, A; Deftereos, I; Gough, K; Taylor, D; Shannon, R; Yeung, JM;
Details: Publication Year 2021-06,Volume 29,Issue #6,Page 3411-3420
Journal Title: Supportive Care in Cancer
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in health-related quality of life (QoL) from before colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery to 1 and 3-month post-surgery in patients diagnosed pre-operatively as sarcopenic or non-sarcopenic by computed tomography (CT) analysis. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a prospective observational cohort study with one pre-operative and two post-operative assessments. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected at each timepoint using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaires. Pre-operative staging CT scans of the third lumbar vertebra (axial slice) were analysed using Slice-O-Matic Software to determine if patients had CT defined sarcopenia by employing sex-specific threshold values for skeletal muscle index. Patient-reported outcome measure scores were compared with minimal clinical important difference estimates to determine if changes were clinically significant. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 40 patients were found to be sarcopenic. The difference between sarcopenic groups on the EQ-5D was medium-sized and clinically significant, with the sarcopenic group reporting lower health status. The non-sarcopenic group displayed a clinically significant reduction in physical wellbeing post-operatively. The sarcopenic group did not demonstrate a clinically important reduction in physical wellbeing. For functional wellbeing, the sarcopenic group recorded a clinically significant reduction at the 1-month timepoint, trending back towards baseline by the 3-month timepoint. The non-sarcopenic group recorded almost no change in functional scores. CONCLUSION: This study explored the novel concept of the effect of sarcopenia on QoL in the CRC surgical setting. Clinically significant changes were identified at both post-operative timepoints. This highlights an important proof of concept that PROMs can detect meaningful clinical change in CRC patients in the context of sarcopenia and should be further explored.
Keywords: Cohort Studies; Colorectal Neoplasms/*complications/*surgery; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/*adverse effects/methods; Female; Humans; Male; *Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life/*psychology; Sarcopenia/*etiology
Department(s): Health Services Research
PubMed ID: 33547963
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06025-y
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2025-06-06 07:51:47

Last Modified: 2025-06-06 07:57:04