Is sarcopenia a better predictor of complications than body mass index? Sarcopenia and surgical outcomes in patients with rectal cancer

Abstract

Sarcopenia was present in over 50% of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer at diagnosis. It was associated with a higher incidence of both blood transfusion and postoperative complications. BMI did not correlate with these negative outcomes. Sarcopenia may be a better predictor of surgical outcomes than BMI or obesity.