Skeletal muscle mass assessed by computed tomography correlates to muscle strength and physical performance at a liver-related hospital experience

Aim: We aimed to evaluate whether skeletal muscle mass measured by computed tomography (CT) or bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) correlated to muscle strength and physical performance in liver-related hospital cases. Methods: We prospectively conducted this study in 120 liver-related hospital cases. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by CT scan and BIA. Muscle strength was determined by hand grip strength and physical performance by usual gait speed. Results: Skeletal muscle mass measured using CT significantly correlated to usual gait speed (r²=0.17, P<0.0001) and hand grip strength (r²=0.66, P<0.0001), but the correlations were lower using BIA (r²=0.1, P=0.0005; r²=0.54, P<0.0001). With regard to liver function, the relationship between skeletal muscle mass measured by CT and BIA and two muscle function parameters in the Child-Pugh A group were significant. In contrast, skeletal muscle mass measured by BIA in the Child-Pugh B or C group was not significantly related to usual gait speed. Conclusion: Skeletal muscle mass measured by CT was significantly correlated to hand grip strength and usual gait speed, with higher correlations compared with BIA. Moreover, skeletal muscle mass measured by CT significantly correlated with two muscle functions, even in patients with Child-Pugh B or C.