Cross-sectional analysis of myosteatosis and physical function in pretreatment head and neck cancer patients

• Published in: Supportive care in cancer 2022-04, Vol.30 (4), p.3401-3408
• Main Authors: Shaver, Amy L., Noyes, Katia, Platek, Mary E., Singh, Anurag K., Erickson, Kayleigh, Wendel, Elizabeth, Wilding, Gregory, Ochs-Balcom, Heather M., Ray, Andrew
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Batteries; Body composition; Cancer patients; Care and treatment; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; CT imaging; Female; Hand Strength - physiology; Head & neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology; Head and Neck Neoplasms - therapy; Health risks; Humans; Male; Medical research; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Medicine, Experimental; Muscle strength; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Muscles; Musculoskeletal system; Nursing; Nursing Research; Oncology; Original Article; Pain Medicine; Postural Balance; Rehabilitation Medicine; Sarcopenia - pathology; Time and Motion Studies; Tomography
• ISSN: 0941-4355; 1433-7339
• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-06808-x

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/m 2 . 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.