Somatometric and Bioimpedance Parameters in the Assessment of Physical Development in Patients with Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is an oncological disease characterized by an extremely unfavorable course and prognosis. The high mortality rate associated with esophageal cancer underscores the importance of preventive screening programs in population and the need to expand the range of known risk factors for this disease. In this context, the study of physical development characteristics in patients with esophageal cancer is of particular interest.

AIM: To investigate somatometric and bioimpedance characteristics of physical development in patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS: Anthropometric and bioimpedance measurements were conducted in 86 patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Body height and weight, shoulder and hip width, waist and hip circumference were measured. Body mass index and the sexual dimorphism index according to J.M. Tanner were calculated. Bioimpedance analysis was performed using the ABC01-036 hardware-software system (Medass, Russia). Body composition and phase angle were assessed. The phase angle of impedance reflects the intensity of metabolic processes in the body and is used as a prognostic indicator in oncological diseases. Statistical processing of the obtained data was performed using descriptive statistics methods. The Shapiro–Francia, Kolmogorov–Smirnov, Kruskal–Wallis, Fisher’s F-test, and Pearson’s chi-square test were used. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Normal body weight was noted in most women with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and in men with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Among male patients with esophageal cancer, the mesomorphic body type predominated, with a shift toward gynecomorphy (p = 0.001). A mesomorphic somatotype prevailed among female patients (p = 0.001). No statistically significant differences in bioimpedance parameters were found among patients with esophageal cancer depending on somatotype. Decreased phase angle values relative to the reference range established for the Russian population were recorded with equal frequency in patients with esophageal cancer, regardless of disease stage, which allows this parameter to be considered a potential marker of poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION: Body weight deficiency is not typical for patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Overall, patients with esophageal cancer tend to exhibit a mesomorphic somatotype, with a shift toward gynecomorphy in men, as well as decreased phase angle values regardless of disease stage.