Correlation between sarcopenia diagnosed by C3SMI criteria and prognosis in esophageal cancer patients after radiotherapy.

Abstract

Background: Esophageal cancer is a common malignancy with high mortality. Radiotherapy is an important treatment. Sarcopenia affects patients' physical function and prognosis. However, the relationship between sarcopenia diagnosed by Chun-Hou Chen method for sarcopenia measurement and index (C3SMI) criteria and esophageal cancer prognosis after radiotherapy is unclear.

Aim: To explore the correlation between sarcopenia (SA) diagnosed based on C3SMI criteria and the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer following radiotherapy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the general clinical data of 131 esophageal cancer patients who received radiotherapy in the Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from March 2021 to July 2024. Based on the presence of SA, the patients were assigned into two groups - the SA group and the non-SA group. Logistic regression analysis was used for investigating the risk factors influencing SA in esophageal cancer patients. Additionally, the patients were followed up, with their prognosis recorded. As per their prognostic outcomes, the patients were allocated into a good prognosis group and a poor prognosis group. The data of the two groups were compared. Using logistic regression analysis, the risk factors that may influence the prognosis of these patients were analyzed. SPSS 26.0 statistical software was introduced for analyzing the study data. Comparisons were made between groups using t-tests or χ ² tests based on the data type.

Results: As revealed through logistic regression analysis, age [odds ratio (OR) = 2.898, P = 0.038], body mass index (OR = 5.983, P = 0.006), prealbumin (OR = 6.253, P = 0.003), and Karnofsky performance status score (OR = 3.854, P = 0.010) were independent risk factors impacting SA for esophageal cancer patients (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis also found that age (OR = 3.823, P = 0.030), differentiation degree (OR = 4.802, P = 0.028), American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical staging (OR = 3.732, P = 0.013), alpha-fetoprotein level (OR = 3.508, P = 0.018), thrombospondin-1 level (OR = 5.749, P = 0.006), carcinoembryonic antigen level (OR = 3.873, P = 0.030), and SA (OR = 3.593, P = 0.017) were independent risk factors that may influence esophageal cancer patients' prognosis (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The presence of SA has a significant relation to the poor prognosis of esophageal cancer patients, which highlights the importance of assessing and intervening in SA in clinical management so as to improve patient prognosis.