Body composition analysis of lung screening computed tomographic (CT) images can identify patients at risk for death and hospitalizations in the future, according to a presentation at the virtual Chest 2021 meeting, according to AuntMinne writer Erik Ridley.

Ridley reports that after measuring 1,700 patients retrospectively researches at “Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, MA, found that patients in the lowest quartile on two measures — pectoralis muscle area and liver density — were both associated with future admission to the hospital due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).”

“In addition, patients in the lowest quartile of pectoralis muscle area measurements had a higher risk of death, while the lowest quartile for liver density measurements was associated with an increased risk for all-cause hospital admission and pneumonia-related hospital admission, according to presenter Dr. Alissa Ali,” wrote Ridley.

The findings, as reported by Ridley, were:

“The lowest quartile of pectoralis muscle area measurements was associated with the following:
     Mortality: Hazard ratio (HR) = 3.10, p < 0.001
     COPD-related hospital admission: HR = 3.24, p = 0.004

The lowest quartile of liver density measurements were also associated with the following:
     All-cause hospitalization: HR = 1.73, p < 0.001
     Pneumonia-related hospital admission: HR = 2.95, p = 0.003
     COPD-related hospital admission: HR = 3.32, p = 0.002″

Source:

Ridley, Erik. Body composition on CT lung screening can spot at-risk patients. AuntMinnie.com October 18, 2021, at https://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=cto&pag=dis&ItemID=133797. Accessed November 1, 2021.