Myosteatosis Linked to Increase in Mortality in Asymptomatic Adults

THURSDAY, June 1, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Myosteatosis is associated with increased mortality risk among asymptomatic adults, according to a study published online May 16 in Radiology.

Maxime Nachit, M.D., Ph.D., from the UCLouvain in Brussels, and colleagues examined the association between obesity, liver steatosis, myopenia, and myosteatosis and the risk for mortality using artificial intelligence-based body composition metrics from routine abdominal computed tomography scans in 8,982 asymptomatic adults undergoing routine colorectal cancer screening. During a median follow-up of 8.8 years, the incidence rates of death and major adverse cardiovascular events were recorded.

The researchers found that 86 percent of the 507 patients who died during follow-up had abnormal body composition. Of those who died, 55 percent had myosteatosis (15.5 percent absolute risk at 10 years). Increased mortality risk was seen in association with myosteatosis, obesity, liver steatosis, and myopenia (hazard ratios, 4.33, 1.27, 1.86, and 1.75, respectively). After multivariable adjustment, in 8,303 patients, myosteatosis remained associated with increased mortality risk (hazard ratio, 1.89).

"Taken together, we hope that this report will contribute to making the medical community aware of the importance of myosteatosis, a silent pathologic condition that is not exclusively associated with coexisting disease," the authors write.

Two authors disclosed ties to industry and holding related patents.

Abstract/Full Text