PP107 - CALF CIRCUMFERENCE AS A PRACTICAL SURROGATE FOR CT-DERIVED MUSCLE MASS AND NUTRITION STATUS IN CHEMOTHERAPY PATIENTS

PP107

CALF CIRCUMFERENCE AS A PRACTICAL SURROGATE FOR CT-DERIVED MUSCLE MASS AND NUTRITION STATUS IN CHEMOTHERAPY PATIENTS

V. Krishnan^1,* on behalf of Dr. Dhuraimanavalan, Ms. Akshaya Vembu

¹CLINICAL NUTRITION, SRM INSTITUTES FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES (SIMS), CHENNAI, India

 

Rationale: Skeletal muscle loss and poor nutritional status are prevalent among patients undergoing chemotherapy, leading to adverse effects. While CT-derived muscle measurements remain the gold standard for assessment, their routine usage is often hindered by high costs and limited availability. Calf circumference (CC) presents a potential simple, non-invasive bedside alternative for screening muscle wasting and sarcopenia.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study enrolled 44 adult chemotherapy patients (mean age 55.5). Baseline clinical, nutritional, and socio-demographic data were collected. Calf circumference was measured using a standardized protocol, and CT-derived L3 skeletal muscle area was used to calculate the Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI). Statistical analysis included correlation and ROC analysis, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Results: The study found that 63.6% of patients had low CC, while 65.9% were classified with low muscle mass (sarcopenia) via CT.

Key findings included:

Correlation: A moderate-to-strong correlation and agreement ( κ ≅ 0.40–0.60) were observed between CC and CT-derived muscle mass.

Diagnostic Accuracy: ROC analysis for CC vs. CT-measured sarcopenia yielded an AUC of 0.99, providing strong mathematical evidence for CC as a reliable screening alternative.

Clinical Outcomes: Low CC was significantly associated with worse nutritional status (PG-SGA), increased risk of ICU admission (OR > 1), and longer ICU lengths of stay.

Prognostic Value: While CT-derived muscle mass remains the strongest predictor for mortality and survival, CC demonstrated significant predictive strength for clinical outcome

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Conclusion: In resource-constrained oncology settings, the use of CC democratizes sarcopenia assessment, enabling the rapid identification of at-risk patients and facilitating timely therapeutic interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared