Background/aim: Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis is a method that evaluates body composition, useful in assessing the nutritional status of cancer patients. The analysis of its indicators may be helpful in predicting clinical course. The aim of the study was to evaluate the following body composition parameters: fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), muscle mass index (MMI), visceral fat (VF) and body mass index (BMI) measured before and after surgery in patients with gastrointestinal cancer and to determine the relationship between body composition and the course of treatment.
Patients and methods: The study included 125 patients, aged 65-68, operated on due to gastric, pancreatic or colorectal cancer. Body composition was assessed with electrical bioimpedance before and on the fifth postoperative day. The severity of complications was assessed with the Clavien-Dindo classification.
Results: In the whole group of patients, the percentage of FM, VF, and BMI levels measured before surgery were significantly higher in curative surgery patients in comparison to palliative surgery patients, p<0.001. The MMI value was also significantly higher, p=0.045. In patients after curative surgery, the values of BMI and FM significantly decreased (BMI - p<0.001; FM - p=0.003) after the surgery. There was no relation between body composition parameters and severity of postoperative complications.
Conclusion: In the investigated group, body composition differed between radical and palliative surgery groups. Surgery with curative intent produced more changes in body composition parameters in the early postoperative period than palliative surgery. These observations may be helpful in prehabilitation planning for such patients.
Keywords: BIA; colon cancer; gastric cancer; pancreatic cancer; postoperative complications.
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