Osteosarcopenia May Be Associated with Complications after Colectomy for Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a common cause of acute abdominal conditions, often requiring urgent or elective surgical intervention. Both psoas muscle area (PMA) and bone mineral density (BMD) have been linked to postoperative outcomes, but their role in diverticulitis remains unclear.

To evaluate the relationship between PMA, BMD, and their combined effect on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing colectomy for diverticulitis.

In this retrospective, single-center study, we analyzed patients who underwent colectomy for diverticulitis. PMA and BMD were measured using preoperative computerized tomography. Statistical analysis assessed the association between postoperative outcomes and PMA, BMD, and their combined product (PMA × BMD).

The cohort included 66 patients; median age 68.5 years (range 34-94); 41 (62.12%) females. Of the cases, 42 (63.63%) were urgent. Postoperative complications occurred in 38 patients (57.58%). Patients who developed major postoperative complications had lower PMA (1116.74 ± 716.31 mm² vs. 1948.01 ± 0.01 mm², P = 0.02). The area under the curve (AUC) for major postoperative complications was 0.94 for BMD. The AUC for postoperative ileus was 0.73, 0.69, and 0.76 for PMA, BMD, and PMA × BMD, respectively. The AUC for 30-day mortality was 0.66, 0.7, and 0.73. The AUC for ostomy reversal was 0.71, 0.71, and 0.76.

PMA and BMD were associated with postoperative complications after colectomy for diverticulitis. Their combined assessment may improve predictive accuracy. Current evidence regarding the impact of body composition on surgical outcomes in diverticulitis remains limited and inconsistent. Further research is warranted.