Interpretation of the SARC-F questionnaire in patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery

Abstract

Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle disorder associated with decreased muscle mass and functional capacity. The SARC-F questionnaire facilitates sarcopenia screening in elderly patients. The present study investigates the applicability of the SARC-F questionnaire to sarcopenia screening in patients scheduled for gastrointestinal cancer surgery and its relationship with postoperative outcomes.Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out with elderly patients scheduled for gastrointestinal cancer surgery. The study included 71 patients consisting of 47 males and 24 females. The risk of sarcopenia was assessed by the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rising from a chair, Climbing stairs, and Falling (SARC-F) questionnaire. Patients with a SARC-F score ≥4 were considered to be at risk of sarcopenia. The demographic data, nutritional status and comorbidity data of the patients were recorded. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess postoperative complications in those patients at risk of sarcopenia.Results: The mean age of 71 study patients was 72.6±5.6 years. There were 15 (21.1%) patients with a SARC-F score ≥4. The postoperative complication rate was 60% in patients with a SARC-F score ≥4 in comparison with 28.5% of those with a SARC-F score <4, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.024). The SARC-F score ≥4 group also had a longer hospital stay (p<0.001). Furthermore, the univariate analysis for postoperative complications revealed that SARC-F scores ≥4, age ≥75 years, and BMI ≥30 kg/m2 were statistically significant. Conclusion:We believe that the SARC-F questionnaire has a place in sarcopenia screening in patients scheduled for gastrointestinal surgery, and it is possible to predict postoperative adverse outcomes.