Osteosarcopenia is a potential predictor for the prognosis of patients who underwent hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases.

AIM

We investigated the prognostic impact of osteosarcopenia, which is the combination of osteopenia and sarcopenia, in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) after hepatic resection.

METHODS

One hundred and eighteen patients were analyzed retrospectively. Osteopenia was evaluated with computed tomographic measurement of pixel density in the midvertebral core of the 11th thoracic vertebra. Sarcopenia was evaluated with psoas muscle areas at the third lumbar vertebra. Osteosarcopenia was defined as the concomitant occurrence of osteopenia and sarcopenia.

RESULTS

Osteosarcopenia was identified in 38 (32%) of the patients. In univariate analysis, the overall survival was significantly worse in patients with lymph node metastases ( = .01), extrahepatic lesion ( = .01), sarcopenia ( = .02), osteosarcopenia ( < .01), Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) 1 or 2 ( = .05), and curability R 1 or 2 ( = .04). In multivariate analysis, lymph node metastases ( < .01), osteosarcopenia ( < .01), and GPS 1 or 2 ( = .03) were independent and significant predictors of the overall survival. In patients with osteosarcopenia, there were more women than men and body mass index was lower compared to patients without osteosarcopenia.

CONCLUSION

Osteosarcopenia was the strong predictor for outcomes in patients who underwent liver resection for CRLM.