Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 42718949 DOI: 10.1177/17562848261477206

Preoperative myopenia is associated with postoperative complications and endoscopic recurrence after ileocolic resection in Crohn's disease.

Ther Adv Gastroenterol 19:17562848261477206

Authors: Angelo Del Gaudio, Guia Becherucci, Federica Di Vincenzo, Teodoro Pietro Di Certo, Fabio Cascella, Marco Murgiano, Simone Parello, Flavio Fiaccavento, Francesca Bice D'Angelo, Gaetano Coppola, Irene Mignini, Elisa Foscarini, Francesca Profeta, Lucrezia Laterza, Daniele Napolitano, Elisa Schiavoni, Massimo Musumeci, Franco Sacchetti, Paola Caprino, Luigi Sofo, Antonio Gasbarrini, Daniela Pugliese, Alfredo Papa, Franco Scaldaferri, Laura Maria Minordi, Loris Riccardo Lopetuso

Affiliations

  • UOS Malattie Infiammatorie Croniche Intestinali, Centro di Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente (CEMAD), Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
  • UOC di Radiologia Addomino-Pelvica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli", IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
  • Abdominal Surgery Unit, Department of Gastroenterological Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli' IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
  • UOS Gastroenterologia, Ospedale Isola Tiberina Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.
  • Department of Life Science, Health, and Health Professions, Link Campus University, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Low muscle mass is increasingly recognised in patients with Crohn's disease, particularly among those requiring intestinal surgery. While reduced muscle mass has been associated with adverse early surgical outcomes, its relationship with postoperative endoscopic recurrence remains poorly defined.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the association between preoperative low muscle mass, postoperative complications and endoscopic recurrence after ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease.

DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort study including consecutive adult patients with Crohn's disease undergoing ileocolic resection between 2017 and 2024.

METHODS

Muscle mass was assessed on preoperative computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging using the total psoas area index (TPAI) with sex-specific cut-offs. The primary outcome was early postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥II). Secondary outcomes included endoscopic recurrence, defined as Rutgeerts score ≥i2 at follow-up endoscopy (6-12 months after surgery), and clinical factors associated with low muscle mass.

RESULTS

A total of 152 patients were included, of whom 61 (40.1%) were classified as having low muscle mass. Postoperative complications occurred in 25.7% of patients and endoscopic recurrence in 50.7% at 6-12 months. Low muscle mass was independently associated with early postoperative complications (OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.24-6.29) and with endoscopic recurrence (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.13-4.57). Upper gastrointestinal involvement was independently associated with low muscle mass, whereas prior exposure to biologic therapy showed an inverse association. Body mass index showed only a weak correlation with imaging-based muscle mass.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative low muscle mass is common in patients with Crohn's disease undergoing ileocolic resection and was independently associated with both early postoperative complications and endoscopic recurrence. Imaging-based body composition assessment may improve perioperative risk stratification.

MeSH

Muscles, Crohn Disease, Postoperative Complications