Relationship between Sarcopenia, Visceral Fat and Health-Related Quality of Life: Evidence from a cross-sectional study in women
Name: MARIANA DE SOUZA VIEIRA
Publication date: 18/08/2023
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| VALDETE REGINA GUANDALINI | Advisor |
Summary: Women with breast cancer have impairments in their health-related quality of life
(HRQoL) associated with sarcopenia and visceral fat (GV). Therefore, this study
has two objectives: 1. To investigate the association of sarcopenia components
with HRQoL and its domains; and 2. Evaluate the association between QVRS
and its domains with GV. Cross-sectional study, carried out in an outpatient clinic
of a public hospital in southeastern Brazil, from January 2021 to December 2022.
Women aged between 30 and 80 years, diagnosed with breast cancer, with 12
months of diagnosis, without metastasis or other malignancy and no recurrence.
HRQoL domains were evaluated by the European Organization for Research and
Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30)
and Breast Cancer-specific Core 23 (EORTC QLQ-BR23). The components of
sarcopenia (muscle strength and mass and physical performance) were
assessed by handgrip strength (HGS), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index
(IMMEA) and Timed Up and Go test (TUGT), respectively. GV was performed by
dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Linear regression models were
maintained. The significance level adopted was p<0.05. 114 women with a mean
age of 55.2 ± 11.3 years. FPM, IMMEA and TUGT were adequate in 87.7%;
79.8%; 95.6%, respectively. GV and body fat percentage were elevated by 62.5%
and 86.0%, respectively. In linear regression, HGS lowered associated with
cognitive function (p=0.047) and loss of appetite (p=0.012) and TUGT lowered
with overall health (p=0.005) and functional scale (p=0.002) of the QLQ-C30.
HGS and TUGT are associated with escalation of symptoms (p=0.017 and
p=0.008, respectively) of the QLQ-BR23. The lowered GV associated with the
functional scale (p=0.013), physical function (p=0.011), functional role (p=0.009),
social function (p=0.047), symptom scale (p=0.003), fatigue (p= 0.043), pain
(p<0.001) and insomnia (p=0.008). Muscle strength was associated with
cognitive function and loss of appetite and physical performance with global
health and functional scale, while high GV worsened functionality and fatigue,
pain and insomnia in women with breast cancer.
