Study investigating the role of skeletal muscle mass estimation in metastatic spinal cord compression

2015 
Background Age-related loss of functional muscle mass is associated with reduced functional ability and life expectancy. In disseminated cancer, age-related muscle loss may be exacerbated by cachexia and poor nutritional intake, increasing functional decline, morbidity and accelerate death. Patients with spinal metastases frequently present for decompressive surgery with decision to operate based upon functional assessment. A subjective assessment of physical performance has, however, been shown to be a poor indicator of life expectancy in these patients. We aimed to develop an objective measure based upon lean muscle mass to aid decision making, in these individuals, by investigating the association between muscle mass and 1-year survival.
    • Correction
    • Source
    • Cite
    • Save
    • Machine Reading By IdeaReader
    34
    References
    14
    Citations
    NaN
    KQI
    []