Prevalence of Pre-Treatment Sarcopenia in Patients newly diagnosed with Lymphoma.

Abstract

Introduction Sarcopenia, defined by reduced muscle strength, mass, and performance, presents a significant challenge in cancer care due to its impact on treatment outcomes, quality of life, and survival. This study aimed to assess its prevalence in newly diagnosed malignant lymphoma patients. Materials and Methods Adults planned for first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy were enrolled and screened for sarcopenia before treatment. Sarcopenia was defined by the European guidelines (EWGSOP2) using low muscle strength (hand-grip), low muscle mass (DXA), and low physical performance (gait speed). Results Sixty-nine patients (mean age 57, 19 women) were included. Six patients (9%) had low hand-grip strength, 15 (22%) had low muscle mass, and four (6%) demonstrated low gait speed. Two patients met the criteria for sarcopenia, with one having severe sarcopenia. Conclusion Sarcopenia prevalence was 3%, but 22% had low muscle mass, suggesting muscle strength alone may not be an optimal screening tool for lymphoma patients.