J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2025 Oct;16(5):e13743. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.13743.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Polytrauma patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16 have a high mortality rate. Early identification of patients at risk of mortality is key. Different risk stratification models are available; however, body composition on third lumbar computed tomography (L3 CT) is not routinely used. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of CT body composition on 1-year mortality in adult polytrauma patients.
METHODS: Body composition analysis (L3 CT) was performed on 593 adult polytrauma patients. The associations with 1-year mortality were assessed using uni- and multivariable logistic regression analysis. As a sensitivity analysis, 1-year mortality was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log-rank tests and Cox regression.
RESULTS: The study population was predominantly male (69.5%), with a mean age of 55 (±20) years and an average BMI of 25.34 kg/m2 (±4.07). Comorbidities were present in 327 (55.4%) patients, with an average Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) of 2.07 points (±2.1). The mean ISS score was 27.59 (±11.06); 323 (54.5%) patients had an ISS ≥ 25 points. Age, CCI, ISS, skeletal muscle index and skeletal muscle radiation attenuation (OR 1.053, 5.713, 3.711, 0. 563 and 0.533, respectively; p < 0.001), subcutaneous adipose tissue radiation attenuation (SATRA OR 1.253, p = 0.028) and visceral adipose tissue index (OR 1.242, p = 0.038) were significantly associated with 1-year mortality. In multivariable logistic regression, age, ISS and SATRA remained statistically significantly associated with 1-year mortality (OR 1.062, p < 0.001; OR 4.761, p < 0.001; OR 1.396, p = 0.009).
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that subcutaneous adipose tissue radiation attenuation on emergency trauma CT scans is significantly associated with 1-year mortality in adult polytrauma patients. Additionally, we found a significant effect of age and ISS on 1-year mortality. Incorporating body composition analysis could lead to a better selection of patients at risk for 1-year mortality and aid in treatment decision-making.
PMID:41078117 | DOI:10.1002/jcsm.13743
