The relationship of sarcopenia in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy with outcome

Objective To explore the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Method Clinicopathologic data and follow-up information of 116 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between March 2011 and August 2016 were collected for statistical analysis. Results Among the 116 patients, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 42.2% (n=49). When compared to the rest of the patients who did not have sarcopenia, the sarcopenia group had longer recovery time [(17.33±6.54)d vs. (13.46±9.32)d, P=0.013] and increased risk of complications (complications in general, 59.2% vs. 38.8%, χ2=4.714, P=0.030; Clavien-Dindo≥3: 26.5% vs. 10.4%, χ2=5.130, P=0.024). Both the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (P<0.05) and the Cox proportional hazard model (overall survival: hazard ratio=2.285, 95% CI=1.521-3.431; recurrence-free survival, hazard ratio=2.167, 95% CI=1.445-3.248) indicated sarcopenia as the risk factor for poorer overall survival and recurrence-free survival. Conclusions Sarcopenia was an independent predictor of poor prognosis for patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Patients with sarcopenia had higher risk of developing complications after surgery and lower overall survival rate and recurrence-free survival rate. Key words: Sarcopenia; Pancreaticoduodenectomy; Complications; Overall survival; Recurrence-free survival