Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2025
Segmentation and Linear Measurement for Body Composition Analysis using Slice-O-Matic and Horos
Published on: March 21, 2021
Sarcopenia Is More Prevalent Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Undergoing Surgery and Predicts Progression to
James P Campbell1, Levi Teigen1, Scott Manski2
1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Background:
Sarcopenia is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, estimates of its prevalence and impact on clinical outcomes are variable. This study sought to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia in IBD patients starting new biologics vs patients undergoing IBD surgeries, and its association with common clinical predictors of nutritional status, adverse events, and clinical outcomes.
Methods:
This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of IBD patients who had a computed tomography (CT) scan within 6 months prior to new biologic initiation (medical cohort) or IBD surgery (surgery cohort). The lowest sex-specific quartile of the total psoas area index at the L3 level defined sarcopenia. Prevalence and predictors of sarcopenia, performance of common clinical nutritional markers, and association with adverse events and clinical outcomes at 1 year were determined.
Results:
A total of 156 patients were included (48% medical cohort, 52% surgery cohort). Sarcopenia was more common in the surgery cohort (32% vs 16%; P < .02). In the medical cohort, sarcopenia predicted need for surgery at 1 year (odds ratio, 4.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-20.57; P = .04). Low albumin and body mass index (BMI) were associated with the presence of sarcopenia; however, 24% of sarcopenic patients had both normal BMI and albumin.
Conclusions:
Sarcopenia is more prevalent among IBD patients undergoing surgery and predicts the need for surgery in patients starting new biologic therapy. Low albumin and BMI were similar between cohorts, suggesting a unique role for sarcopenia as a relevant clinical marker of lean muscle mass depletion for surgically and medically treated IBD patients.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
01:29Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...