Psoas Muscle Index: A Simple and Reliable Method of Sarcopenia Assessment on Computed Tomography Scan in Chronic Liver Disease and its Impact on Mortality.

Objectives: Psoas muscle parameters have been proposed as a simple and quick method for sarcopenia assessment. The aim of this study was to assess sarcopenia in cirrhotics by psoas muscle on computed tomography and its impact on mortality.
Methods: One hundred and fifty patients (75 cirrhotics, 75 subjects) were assessed for psoas muscle on CT scan. Psoas muscle index (PMI) was calculated as 'total psoas muscle area/(height of subject) ² '. Cut off values for sarcopenia diagnosis were derived from local subjects (n = 75) who did not have cirrhosis/other causes of sarcopenia.
Results: Sarcopenia assessed by PMI was seen in 36% (n = 27) of the cirrhotics. Sarcopenia was significantly higher in patients having Child-Pugh C. Ascites, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and gastro-intestinal bleed were seen in 48%, 18.7% and 24%, respectively. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with ascites and HE ( P  < 0.05). Out of the 75 cases, 53 cases completed the follow-up period of 1 year. Among the 20 cases who had sarcopenia, 35% (n = 7) succumbed to liver-related illness during 1 year follow-up, and out of the 33 cases without sarcopenia, only 6% (n = 2) died. The association of sarcopenia and 1 year mortality was statistically significant ( P  = 0.01).
Conclusions: The PMI, a simple method for sarcopenia assessment detected sarcopenia in 36% of cirrhotics. Patients with sarcopenia had a significantly higher 1 year mortality rate and appropriate prognostication of such patients is needed.
(© 2022 Indian National Association for Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V.)