Abstract
Background: Preoperative sarcopenia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. The assessment of muscle mass is crucial in identifying at-risk patients, but standard imaging methods like computed tomography (CT) scans require significant resources. Functional tests, such as the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, may serve as simple and effective alternatives for sarcopenia screening. Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of the TUG test in predicting preoperative sarcopenia in patients scheduled for CRC surgery. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary colorectal unit from January 2022 to June 2023. Patients underwent a prehabilitation assessment, including the TUG test, four weeks before surgery. Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on reduced muscle mass measured at the third lumbar vertebra on CT images. Statistical analyses included the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of the TUG test in predicting sarcopenia. Results: The study included 199 CRC patients (58.3% male, mean age 71.76 ± 10.42 years). Sarcopenia was present in 48.7% of patients. The mean TUG test length was 12.52 ± 7.95 s. A TUG test time of ≥10.19 s predicted sarcopenia with 70.1% sensitivity, 75.5% specificity, and an overall accuracy of 72.9% (95% CI = 0.660-0.790). Conclusions: The TUG test is a reliable, simple, and non-invasive tool for identifying sarcopenia in patients scheduled for colorectal cancer surgery, reducing reliance on CT scans. Early detection allows for timely interventions, improving surgical outcomes and overall patient prognosis.