Diagnostic utility of the preoperative cachexia index for malnutrition in colorectal cancer: A prospective cohort study.

[BACKGROUND] Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by weight and muscle loss, often linked to malnutrition and inflammation. Malnutrition affects almost 40 % of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, contributing to worse surgical outcomes, higher morbidity, and increased mortality. This study evaluates the Cachexia Index (CXI) for malnutrition detection in CRC patients.

[PATIENTS AND METHODS] Seventy patients (54.3 % men; median age 65) underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis, blood tests, and nutritional assessments before surgery. Patients were recruited between November 1, 2023, and October 30, 2024. CXI, calculated as [Skeletal Mass Index × Serum Albumin]/Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte-Ratio, was compared with the Subjective Global Assessment.

[RESULTS] The median CXI was 13.7 (range: 1.9-53.8), with malnourished or at-risk patients exhibiting significantly lower median CXI values (9.5 vs. 14.9; p = 0.0262) than well-nourished individuals. Tumor location also influenced CXI; patients with sigmoid colon tumors had the highest median CXI, while those with caecum tumors had the lowest (22.2 vs. 8.2; p = 0.0202). CXI demonstrated 100 % sensitivity and 60 % specificity for malnutrition detection, with a cutoff of ≤12.09 (AUC = 0.80; 95 % CI: 0.69-0.89; p < 0.0001). Malnourished patients had a significantly lower median CXI (9.5 vs. 14.9; p = 0.0262).

[CONCLUSIONS] These findings support CXI as a reliable, non-invasive biomarker for malnutrition in CRC patients, with potential applications in personalized nutritional and therapeutic care.