Body Composition, Serum Biomarkers of Inflammation and Quality of Life in Clinically Stable Women with Estrogen Receptor Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract

Limited data exist regarding body composition and associated patient-reported outcomes for women with metastatic BC. Demographic, clinical, blood, and questionnaire data were collected to quantify body composition and explore associations with symptoms, inflammation, and quality of life (QOL) in 41 women with ER + metastatic BC. Diagnostic/surveillance computed tomography (CT) images including the third lumbar region (L3) were obtained to evaluate skeletal muscle (SM) quantity and quality, and abdominal adipose tissue. Frequencies, medians and interquartile ranges are presented, stratified by sarcopenia and obesity (Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30.0 kg/m²). Overall, 34% (n = 14/41), 49% (n = 20/41), and 34% (n = 14) of women had sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and obesity, respectively. Handgrip strength was compromised in 24% of subjects (n = 10/41). Women with sarcopenia had significantly lower body weight (P = 0.01), BMI (P ≤ 0.001), and whole body SM (P < 0.001), yet reported greater engagement in leisure time exercises (P = 0.05) vs. nonsarcopenic women. Women with obesity had significantly higher levels of abdominal obesity (all values P < 0.0001) and serum biomarkers of inflammation (P values <0.06), yet lower QOL (P = 0.02) vs. women without obesity. The abPGSGA did not differentiate women with sarcopenia. Future interventions should test if improvements in body composition are associated with better outcomes for this vulnerable, emerging population.

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the efforts of Dr. Ellen Gaynor for her assistance with this study.

Author Contributions

P. Sheean and P. Robinson contributed to the conception and design of the research; P. Sheean, M.B. Bartolotta, S. Gomez-Perez, C. Joyce, V. Vasilopoulos, S. Lo, L. Lomasney, and P. Robinson contributed to the acquisition and analysis of the data; P. Sheean and C. Joyce contributed to the analyses and interpretation of the data; P. Sheean drafted the manuscript. All authors critically revised the manuscript, agree to be fully accountable for ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the work, and read and approved the final manuscript

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, the Oncology Nutrition Dietetics Practice Group and the Loyola University Chicago Gannon Center for Women and Leadership.