PD806 - LOW MUSCLE MASS ASSESSED BY BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS AS A PREDICTOR OF CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN HOSPITALIZED CANCER PATIENTS

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PD806

LOW MUSCLE MASS ASSESSED BY BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS AS A PREDICTOR OF CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN HOSPITALIZED CANCER PATIENTS

G. Yacoub1,*, D. O. Toledo1, M. C. F. A. Hellebrandt2, F. A. Ribeiro1, J. R. Moraes2, F. Lúcio1, B. V. C. Leoncio1, F. Corcovado1, J. M. S. Junior2,3

1Clinical Nutrition, Einstein Israeli Hospital, 2Clinical Nutrition, Einstein Israeli Hospital, 3Clinical Nutrition, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

 

Rationale: : Low muscle mass is a prognostic marker in oncology and may indicate nutritional and functional vulnerability not captured by body mass index. We evaluated whether low muscle mass assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis is associated with clinical outcomes in hospitalized cancer patients.

Methods: This observational study included 104 adults with cancer admitted to a tertiary public hospital between January and October 2025. At admission, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass index, appendicular muscle index, phase angle, fat mass percentage, handgrip strength, calf circumference, urea-to-creatinine ratio, length of stay, and in-hospital outcome were assessed. Low muscle mass was defined using established cutoffs. Group comparisons were performed.

Results: Low muscle mass was identified in 29.8% of patients. Compared with those without low muscle mass, affected patients had lower body mass index (23.3 vs 27.6 kg/m²; p=0.001), appendicular muscle index (6.20 vs 7.61; p<0.001), phase angle (3.6° vs 5.1°; p<0.001), total muscle mass (25.1 vs 29.4 kg; p<0.001), handgrip strength (30.0 vs 37.0 kgf; p=0.041), and calf circumference (32.5 vs 37.0 cm; p<0.001). Length of stay did not differ significantly. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with low muscle mass (18.5% vs 7.0%; p=0.133). Appendicular muscle index correlated positively with body mass index, phase angle, handgrip strength, calf circumference, and skeletal muscle mass index.

Conclusion: Bioelectrical impedance analysis was feasible and identified low muscle mass and functional impairment in hospitalized cancer patients. Appendicular and skeletal muscle indices detected nutritional and functional vulnerability more effectively than body mass index. Its low cost and practicality support early risk stratification and supportive care planning in oncology settings.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared