Establishing valid functional / PRO measures in cancer cachexia or sarcopenia to correlate with changes in Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (SMI): Results of a prospective study in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

e20676 Background: Interventional trials in cancer cachexia have endeavored to improve skeletal muscle mass (measured by SMI using DXA or CT) and to correlate changes with functional outcomes of benefit to the patient. While tests such as stair climb power and hand grip strength have been used, these measures are neither sufficiently sensitive in patients with cancer, nor do they evaluate outcomes of value to patients. Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) such as EORTC, FACT and others, have been collected, but specific components useful to patients have not been identified as ones correlating highly with SMI. Recent large studies at baseline using the 3-Item Global Index (3IGI) of the LCSS quality of life and functional measure found a strong correlation predicting survival in non-small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma (Symanowski; Gralla, both ASCO 2014); thus the 3IGI appears to be a good factor for associating PROs with SMI changes. Methods: The LCSS was measured every 3 weeks; correlations of SMI change...