Purpose : Although a change in skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) 4 months after esophagectomy impacts prognosis, predictors of a change in SMI have not been revealed. The purpose of this exploratory retrospective study was to clarify the predictors of a change in SMI after curative esophagectomy in elderly patients with esophageal cancer.Methods : Fifty-four patients who underwent esophagectomy and perioperative rehabilitation from 2015 to 2018 were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative SMI (cm 2 /m 2 ) were calculated using computed tomography images. The ratio change in SMI was calculated as follows: (postoperative SMI − preoperative SMI) ÷ preoperative SMI × 100%. Potential predictors of a change in SMI ratio were analyzed by multiple regression. Results : The mean ratio change in SMI 4 months after esophagectomy was −7.1% ± 9.4%. The ratio change in quadriceps muscle strength in the first month after surgery ([postoperative strength − preoperative strength] ÷ preoperative strength × 100%) (standardized β = .273, p = .038) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) (standardized β = .398, p = .006) were predictors of the ratio change in SMI independent of age, sex, pathological stage, and preoperative SMI. Conclusion : Quadriceps muscle weakness in the first month after esophagectomy and NAC were predictors of the ratio change in SMI after esophagectomy. Continuous postoperative comprehensive rehabilitation and supportive care may inhibit loss of skeletal muscle mass.
Background
Loss of skeletal muscle mass, measured by the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), after esophagectomy negatively impacts prognosis. However, the information to develop novel supportive care options for preventing loss of skeletal muscle mass is limited. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the impact of early postoperative factors on change in SMI 4 months after curative esophagectomy in older patients with esophageal cancer.
Methods
This study included 113 subjects who underwent esophagectomy between 2015 and 2020. Preoperative and postoperative SMI (cm2/m2) were calculated from computed tomography images. The percentage change in SMI 4 months after surgery (SMI%) was calculated as follows: ([postoperative SMI – preoperative SMI] ÷ preoperative SMI) × 100. Potential factors affecting percentage change of SMI after surgery were analyzed by multiple regression.
Results
The mean SMI% was – 5.6%. The percentage change (per 1%) in quadriceps muscle strength in the first month after surgery (standardized β = 0.190, p = 0.048) impacted the SMI%, which was independent of age, sex, preoperative SMI, comorbidity, pathological stage, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Conclusion
Quadriceps muscle weakness in the first month after esophagectomy impacted the SMI% in a dose-dependent relationship.
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