Correlation between the SARC-F Score and Hydration Status in Older Gastrointestinal Cancer Outpatients

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Oncology
• Physiology

Background:

• Sarcopenia, characterized by muscle mass and strength loss, is a significant concern in elderly cancer patients, particularly those with gastrointestinal cancer.
• Fluid retention and altered body composition are common in cancer patients and may influence muscle health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the extracellular water to total body weight ratio (ECW/TBW) and SARC-F scores in elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancer.
• To explore potential links between fluid status and sarcopenia risk in this vulnerable demographic.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 57 elderly male gastrointestinal cancer patients.
• Muscle function assessed using the SARC-F questionnaire.
• Body composition, including total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW), measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis; ECW/TBW ratio calculated to assess fluid retention.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant, positive but low correlation (r = 0.26, p = 0.02) was observed between SARC-F scores and the ECW/TBW ratio.
• No significant correlation was found between SARC-F scores and daily water intake or TBW.
• 13 ± 8% of patients experienced severe weight loss, and only 4 patients met the SARC-F threshold for sarcopenia risk (≥4).

Conclusions:

• A higher ECW/TBW ratio is associated with increased SARC-F scores in elderly gastrointestinal cancer outpatients.
• This finding suggests that extracellular fluid accumulation may be a contributing factor to muscle function decline and potential sarcopenia in this patient group.