Prognostic Impact of Sarcopenic Obesity on Postoperative Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sarcopenic obesity is a condition in which the coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity may have unfavorable prognostic implications in cancer. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of sarcopenic obesity on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. A systematic literature search was conducted in the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases for articles up to February 8, 2024. The primary outcomes were overall and major complications and overall survival. A random- or fixed-effects model was used in each case based on heterogeneity, and both subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Twenty studies with 11,264 patients were included. The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was 14.5%. Sarcopenic obesity was found to be a risk factor for overall complications [pooled OR: 1.69 (95% CI: 1.26-2.26); p < 0.001] and major complications [pooled OR: 1.64 (95% CI: 1.06-2.55); p = 0.028]. The effect on overall survival was not significant [pooled HR: 1.24 (95% CI: 0.98-1.56); p = 0.076], but significance varied in some subgroups. Furthermore, sarcopenic obesity was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality, but not with prolonged hospitalization. In conclusion, sarcopenic obesity is associated with unfavorable outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery; therefore, it may be useful to include a diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity when formulating the disease prognosis.