Sarcopenia is a prognostic factor in lymphoma patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Findings regarding the relationship between sarcopenia and lymphoma have been inconsistent across studies. This study investigated the association between sarcopenia and lymphoma. We systematically searched the Embase, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and PubMed databases from inception to 31 March 2024 to identify relevant studies. Two researchers independently extracted and evaluated studies that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty-six studies with 3659 participants were included. Sarcopenic lymphoma patients had poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.47-2.41; <i>p</i> < 0.001). The heterogeneity was high (I²=80%). However, the result of the Egger test indicated a significant publication bias (<i>p</i> < 0.001). After employing the trim and fill method to adjust for this bias, the HR of OS became non-significant (<i>p</i> > 0.05). The progression-free survival (PFS) was worse in sarcopenic patients (HR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.37-2.29; <i>p</i> < 0.001; I²=70%). There was no significant publication bias (<i>p</i> > 0.05). In the subgroup analyses, sarcopenia was a negative predictor of OS in lymphoma patients who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) (HR = 1.61;95% CI: 1.19-2.18; I²=30%). Male lymphoma patients with sarcopenia had a significantly worse OS (HR = 2.29; 95% CI:1.24-4.24; <i>p</i> = 0.009). Among patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), those with sarcopenia defined by temporal muscle thickness (TMT) exhibited significantly worse OS (HR = 2.20; 95% CI:1.04-4.65; <i>p</i> = 0.039; I²=68%). Sarcopenia is associated with worse PFS in lymphoma patients. Subgroup analyses indicate that sarcopenia is a negative predictor of OS after HCT, and male lymphoma patients who suffer from sarcopenia have higher mortality. Sarcopenia defined by TMT is also a negative predictor of OS for patients with PCNSL.