AI-Assisted Body Composition Assessment Using CT Imaging in Colorectal Cancer Patients: Predictive Capacity for Sarcopenia and Malnutrition Diagnosis.

(1) Background: The assessment of muscle mass is crucial in the nutritional evaluation of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), as decreased muscle mass is linked to increased complications and poorer prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the utility of AI-assisted L3 CT for assessing body composition and determining low muscle mass using both the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria for malnutrition and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) criteria for sarcopenia in CRC patients prior to surgery. Additionally, we aim to establish cutoff points for muscle mass in men and women and propose their application in these diagnostic frameworks. (2) Methods: This retrospective observational study included CRC patients assessed by the Endocrinology and Nutrition services of the Regional University Hospitals of Malaga, Virgen de la Victoria of Malaga, and Vall d'Hebrón of Barcelona from October 2018 to July 2023. A morphofunctional assessment, including anthropometry, bioimpedance analysis (BIA), and handgrip strength, was conducted to apply the GLIM criteria for malnutrition and the EWGSOP2 criteria for sarcopenia. Body composition evaluation was performed through AI-assisted analysis of CT images at the L3 level. ROC analysis was used to determine the predictive capacity of variables derived from the CT analysis regarding the diagnosis of low muscle mass and to describe cutoff points. (3) Results: A total of 586 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 68.4 ± 10.2 years. Using the GLIM criteria, 245 patients (41.8%) were diagnosed with malnutrition. Applying the EWGSOP2 criteria, 56 patients (9.6%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. ROC curve analysis for the skeletal muscle index (SMI) showed a strong discriminative capacity of muscle area to detect low fat-free mass index (FFMI) (AUC = 0.82, 95% CI 0.77-0.87, p < 0.001). The identified SMI cutoff for diagnosing low FFMI was 32.75 cm2/m2 (Sn 77%, Sp 64.3%; AUC = 0.79, 95% CI 0.70-0.87, p < 0.001) in women, and 39.9 cm2/m2 (Sn 77%, Sp 72.7%; AUC = 0.85, 95% CI 0.80-0.90, p < 0.001) in men. Additionally, skeletal muscle area (SMA) showed good discriminative capacity for detecting low appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) (AUC = 0.71, 95% CI 0.65-0.76, p < 0.001). The identified SMA cutoff points for diagnosing low ASMM were 83.2 cm2 (Sn 76.7%, Sp 55.3%; AUC = 0.77, 95% CI 0.69-0.84, p < 0.001) in women and 112.6 cm2 (Sn 82.3%, Sp 58.6%; AUC = 0.79, 95% CI 0.74-0.85, p < 0.001) in men. (4) Conclusions: AI-assisted body composition assessment using CT is a valuable tool in the morphofunctional evaluation of patients with colorectal cancer prior to surgery. CT provides quantitative data on muscle mass for the application of the GLIM criteria for malnutrition and the EWGSOP2 criteria for sarcopenia, with specific cutoff points established for diagnostic use.

Cost analysis of home parenteral nutrition in Spain / Estimación del coste de la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en España

Introduction: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) improves quality of life, allowing patients to receive nutrition at home and providing a social and labor integration to these patients. Objective: To assess the direct costs of HPN in adult population in Spain. Methods: A literature review of the records of HPN in Spain, carry out by NADYA-SENPE Group (years 2007-2014), was performed. The analysis included the evolution of: patients requiring HPN, number of episodes/patient, mean duration of episodes, description of delivery routes and complications rate. HPN consumption and cost were estimated. Patients were grouped according to their pathological group: benign and malignant. Direct costs (€, 2015) included were: parenteral nutrition bags, delivery sets and costs due to complications. Results: The number of patients who receive HPN has increased over years (2007: 133 patients; 2014: 220 patients). The average number of episodes per patient ranged from 1-2 episodes per year. The average duration of those episodes decreased (2007: 323 days; 2014: 202.8 days). Tunneled catheters were the most used and septic complications were the most common. The average annual cost per patient was estimated at € 8,393.30 and € 9,261.60 for benign and malign disease respectively. Considering that 220 patients required HPN in 2014, an annual cost of € 1,846.524.96 (€ 1,389,910.55 directly due to HPN) and € 2,037,551.90 (€ 1,580,937.50 directly due to HPN) was estimated for patients with benign and malignant pathologies respectively. Conclusions: These results can be used to develop future economic evaluations on HPN and to establish effi cient prioritization strategies to allocate available resources.

Introducción: la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) mejora la calidad de vida de los pacientes permitiéndoles recibir nutrición en su domicilio y facilitando su integración social y laboral. Objetivo: analizar el coste de la NPD en España. Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de los Registros de NPD en España (años 2007-2014), elaborados por el Grupo NADYA-SENPE. Se analizó la evolución de: pacientes que requerían NPD, episodios/paciente por los que se administró NPD, duración media de los episodios, vías de acceso y tasa de complicaciones. Se estimó el consumo y coste de la NPD. Los pacientes fueron agrupados según patología: benigna o maligna. Los costes directos (€, 2015) incluidos fueron: bolsas administradas, vías de acceso y complicaciones. Resultados: el número de pacientes que recibió NPD aumentó a lo largo de los años (2007: 133 pacientes; 2014: 220 pacientes). El número medio de episodios/paciente osciló entre 1-2 episodios/año y su duración media disminuyó (2007: 323 días; 2014: 202,8 días). Las vías de acceso más utilizadas fueron los catéteres tunelizados y las complicaciones sépticas fueron las más comunes. El coste directo anual medio por paciente se estimó en 8.393,30 € y 9.261,60 € para patología benigna y maligna, respectivamente. Considerando que, en 2014, 220 pacientes requirieron NPD, el coste anual fue 1.846.524,96 € (1.389.910,55 € debidos a la fórmula de NPD) y 2.037.551,90 € (1.580.937,50 € debidos a la fórmula de NPD) para patología benigna y maligna respectivamente. Conclusiones: estos resultados sirven de base para futuros análisis económicos de la NPD y para establecer estrategias de priorización eficiente de recursos disponibles.