AUTHOR=Tan Haifeng , Gao Xiaoyu , Li Xiaoyu , Huang Yunling , Cao Qi , Wan Teng 

TITLE=Sarcopenia in Patients With Spinal Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Retrospective Cohort Studies

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.864501

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2022.864501

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=Abstract

Background：Predictive models designed to estimate mortality in spinal metastasis patients are reported with limited accuracy.  Many retrospective cohort studies show sarcopenia is associated with mortality in spinal metastasis, while a lack of higher level of evidence is existing.

Introduction：As a risk factor leading to adverse events in many diseases, sarcopenia may have an impact on patients with spinal metastasis. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of available retrospective cohort studies where sarcopenia is used to assess outcomes in spinal metastasis patients.

Methods: On October 7, 2021, we performed a search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Effect estimates with 95% CI were combined by random effects model. Sensitivity analyses were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity and stability of results.

Results: Of the 4196 papers screened, 10 population-based retrospective cohort studies were included, with a total of 1674 patients. Overall, sarcopenia was associated with higher overall mortality (OR, 1.60; 95% CI 1.35-1.90) and lower Overall survival (HR, 2.08; 95% CI 1.55-2.80).

Conclusions: Sarcopenia is a robust indicator of mortality in spinal metastasis patients.