The Prognostic Significance of Sarcopenia Assessed by the Psoas Muscle Index in Multiple Myeloma Patients


Kilic Gunes E., Kilic K. K., AYLI M.

Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, cilt.42, sa.1, ss.73-81, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 42 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s12288-025-02069-w
  • Dergi Adı: Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.73-81
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Sarcopenia, Multiple Myeloma, Psoas Muscle Index, Frailty Assessment
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Sarcopenia, defined as a loss of skeletal muscle mass and/or function, has been associated with poor survival in various cancers. This study evaluates the prognostic impact of sarcopenia in multiple myeloma (MM) using the Psoas Muscle Index (PMI). A total of 181 MM patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Sarcopenia was assessed using PMI measurements at the L3 vertebra level, with gender-specific cut-off values determined by ROC analysis (442.63 mm²/m² for males and 308.85 mm²/m² for females). Sarcopenia was identified in 29.8% of patients. Sarcopenic patients were significantly older, had lower BMI, albumin, and hemoglobin levels, and were less likely to be eligible for transplantation. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age (OR:1.14, 95%CI:1.08–1.32, p = 0.014), hypoalbuminemia (OR:2.13, 95% CI: 1.11–4.12, p = 0.023), and low BMI (OR:2.52, 95%CI:1.83–5.23, p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for sarcopenia. Sarcopenia independently predicted worse PFS (HR:1.628, 95%CI:1.065–2.487, p = 0.024) and OS (HR:2.095, 95%CI:1.207–3.636, p = 0.009). Other independent risk factors for OS included LDH > ULN (HR:2.026, 95%CI:1.130–3.631, p = 0.018), transplant eligibility (HR:0.338, 95%CI:0.191–0.596, p < 0.001), and high cytogenetic risk (HR:1.912, 95%CI:1.004–3.640, p = 0.049). Subgroup analyses showed that sarcopenia significantly affected OS in transplant-ineligible patients (HR:0.501, 95%CI: 0.262–0.957, p = 0.03) but had no significant impact on survival in transplant-eligible patients. Sarcopenia analysis by using PMI in MM patients can be considered a cost-effective, simple, easily applicable, and practical method for daily routine. Sarcopenia independently predicts worse survival outcomes, particularly in transplant-ineligible patients. Larger prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore integrating sarcopenia into frailty indices for MM.