PP100 - C3 SKELETAL MUSCLE AREA AS A MARKER OF GLIM-DEFINED MALNUTRITION IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS: ADDED VALUE OF MORPHOFUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT

PP100

C3 SKELETAL MUSCLE AREA AS A MARKER OF GLIM-DEFINED MALNUTRITION IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS: ADDED VALUE OF MORPHOFUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT

A. CEBRIÁN VÁZQUEZ^1,*, A. Ramos Prol¹, E. Vieira Maroun¹, M. Argente Pla¹, E. M. Gascó Santana¹, V. Pérez Cervantes¹, J. F. Merino Torres¹

¹Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain

Rationale: Malnutrition is highly prevalent in head and neck cancer (HNC) and associated with adverse outcomes. This study evaluated whether CT-derived muscle mass at the third cervical vertebra (C3) identifies GLIM-defined malnutrition and its relationship with morphofunctional parameters.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including 44 patients with HNC was performed. Nutritional status was assessed according to GLIM criteria using phenotypic and etiologic components, with muscle mass evaluated using non-CT-based measures. C3 skeletal muscle area was quantified using FocudedOn-BC®. Morphofunctional assessment included bioelectrical impedance vector analysis, ultrasound of rectus femoris and masticatory muscles (masseter,temporalis), and handgrip strength. Statistical analyses were performed with Jamovi.

Results: Malnutrition was identified in 50% of patients (n=22), including 68.2% severe and 31.8% moderate cases. Malnourished patients showed lower C3 skeletal muscle area compared to well-nourished patients (median 16.09 cm²,p=0.042). Significant differences were also found in phase angle (p=0.017), rectus femoris cross-sectional area (p<0.001) and handgrip strength (p=0.014). C3 measurements correlated with phase angle, rectus femoris ultrasound parameters and strength. No differences were found in temporalis, while masseter showed a non-significant trend (p=0.083).

Conclusion: C3 muscle area correlated with GLIM-defined malnutrition and correlates with morphofunctional parameters in HNC. Masticatory muscles showed limited value, although further studies are needed to better define their role. Combining CT with bedside tools may improve the identification of malnutrition in clinical practice.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared