Mixed
Muscle quality, assessed by muscle attenuation (fat infiltration) via CT or MRI, is an independent and emerging prognostic indicator for survival and outcomes, often more predictive than muscle mass alone.
For patients undergoing CT or MRI scans, muscle quality (attenuation) should be assessed alongside muscle mass, as it is a strong predictor of survival and outcomes. This is particularly relevant for cancer, critical illness, and liver disease patients. Future clinical practice should aim to make muscle quality assessment more routine.
The lower the muscle attenuation or radiodensity, the higher the amount of fat infiltration into muscle. This feature is an emerging prognostic indicator although primarily studied under the auspices of cancer...
Why this rating
Supported by multiple studies showing that higher muscle attenuation is associated with better survival and outcomes.
Source
Implications of low muscle mass across the continuum of care: a narrative review
Carla M. Prado et al. · Annals of Medicine · 2018
DOI 10.1080/07853890.2018.1511918
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