Low Skeletal Muscle Index Adjusted for Body Mass Index is an Independent Risk Factor for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Surgical Complications

Background This study aims to evaluate sarcopenia defined by skeletal muscle index (SMI) with cutoffs adjusted for sex and body mass index as a predictive marker for postoperative outcomes among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease. Methods The SMI was measured using the cross-sectional computed tomography images at the lumbar spine. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors of postoperative complications. Results Ninety-one patients were included in the study. In multivariate analysis, sarcopenia (odds ratio = 5.37; confidence interval: 1.04–27.6) was predictive of infectious postoperative complications. Conclusions Sarcopenia as defined by the SMI is a predictor for 30-day postoperative infection complications in inflammatory bowel disease surgeries.