Amy L Shaver1,2, Katia Noyes3, Mary E Platek4,5,6, Anurag K Singh4, Kayleigh Erickson6, Elizabeth Wendel6, Gregory Wilding7, Heather M Ochs-Balcom3, Andrew Ray6,8. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA. amy.shaver@jefferson.edu. 2. Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA. amy.shaver@jefferson.edu. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA. 4. Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA. 5. Department of Dietetics, D'Youville College, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA. 6. Department of Epidemiology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA. 7. Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA. 8. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment are associated with muscle weakness and considerable long-term comorbidity. The goal of this study was to determine whether skeletal muscle density (SMD) as quantified from pretreatment computed tomography (CT) scans will correlate with measures of function and strength prior to treatment in physical function in HNC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 90 HNC patients. SMD (myosteatosis vs. normal) was calculated from pretreatment CT scans using SliceOmatic software. Pretreatment physical function was assessed via handgrip strength (HGS), the timed up and go test (TUG), and the short physical performance battery (SPPB). Demographic, cancer, and social characteristics were also collected as confounders. Linear regression models assessed the association between myosteatosis and measures of physical function. RESULTS: The 90 patients were predominately White, male, former smokers with an average BMI of 28.7 ± 5.7 kg/m2. Among men, adjusted models indicate, as compared to those with normal muscle density, the total SPPB score of those with myosteatosis was 1.57 points lower (p = 0.0008), HGS was 0.85 kg lower (p = 0.73), and TUG took 1.34 s longer (p = 0.03). There were no differences in women. CONCLUSION: Myosteatosis is associated with physical function prior to treatment in HNC patients. Larger studies are needed to examine the importance of exercise programs prior to and during treatment to build lean mass and improve long-term prognosis in HNC.
BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment are associated with muscle weakness and considerable long-term comorbidity. The goal of this study was to determine whether skeletal muscle density (SMD) as quantified from pretreatment computed tomography (CT) scans will correlate with measures of function and strength prior to treatment in physical function in HNC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 90 HNC patients. SMD (myosteatosis vs. normal) was calculated from pretreatment CT scans using SliceOmatic software. Pretreatment physical function was assessed via handgrip strength (HGS), the timed up and go test (TUG), and the short physical performance battery (SPPB). Demographic, cancer, and social characteristics were also collected as confounders. Linear regression models assessed the association between myosteatosis and measures of physical function. RESULTS: The 90 patients were predominately White, male, former smokers with an average BMI of 28.7 ± 5.7 kg/m2. Among men, adjusted models indicate, as compared to those with normal muscle density, the total SPPB score of those with myosteatosis was 1.57 points lower (p = 0.0008), HGS was 0.85 kg lower (p = 0.73), and TUG took 1.34 s longer (p = 0.03). There were no differences in women. CONCLUSION: Myosteatosis is associated with physical function prior to treatment in HNC patients. Larger studies are needed to examine the importance of exercise programs prior to and during treatment to build lean mass and improve long-term prognosis in HNC.
Authors: Bianca Tabita Muresan; Carlos Sánchez Juan; Ana Artero; Ana Hernández Machancoses; Piedad Almendros-Blanco; Alegría Montoro; Joan Roselló Ferrando; Rafael Íñigo Valdenebro; Jaime Ríos Ríos; José Miguel Soriano Del Castillo; José Vicente Quirante Cascales; José López-Torrecilla Journal: Nutr Hosp Date: 2019-12-26 Impact factor: 1.057