Sarcopenia in trauma patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Sarcopenia is associated with poor prognosis and mortality following injury. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia, as well as to assess its prevalence and impact on health outcomes among trauma patients. We conducted a literature search on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from inception to June 2023. A total of 27 studies were included, involving 8692 individuals (55.5 % men) with a mean age ranging from 42.2 to 80.5 years. The pooled prevalence of sarcopenia in trauma patients was 36.0 % [95 % confidence interval (CI): 29.1-43.0 %, I² = 97.8 %], with a 39.3 % prevalence (95 % CI: 31.0-48.5 %, I² = 96.8 %) in men and a 39.0 % prevalence (95 % CI: 31.4-46.2 %, I² = 94.4 %) in women. Trauma patients with sarcopenia were more prone to complications [risk ratio (RR): 1.16, 95 % CI: 1.03-1.31, I² = 45.8 %] and less able to discharge independently (RR: 0.74, 95 % CI: 0.63-0.86, I² = 33.3 %). The risk of death in trauma patients with sarcopenia was higher than in non-sarcopenic patients [hazard ratio (HR): 1.64, 95 % CI: 1.31-2.04]. Sarcopenia is commonly present in trauma patients and has a negative impact on prognosis. Early assessment and interventions for sarcopenia should be conducted in trauma patients.