ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Exploring the association between computed tomography (CT)-derived skeletal muscle mass and short- and long-term mortality in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Pooled result · Short-term mortalityResult — go to the resultOdds ratio 2.33 CI 1.90–2.87Authors' conclusion
CT-assessed skeletal muscle mass at the lumbar level on admission to ICU is associated with both short- and long-term mortality.
Study context
- Population
- Critically ill adults (≥ 18 years) in intensive care units (ICU) with CT-derived skeletal muscle mass at the lumbar level within ± 7 days of ICU admission
- Participants
- 9,366 adults · 35 studies
- Comparison
- Low vs preserved CT-derived skeletal muscle mass
- Outcome
- Mortality: short-term (ICU, hospital, 28- and 30-day) and long-term (> 30 days)
Methodological detailsPRISMA 2020, prevalence meta-analysis, Mostly retrospective, single-centre studies; heterogeneous populations (sepsis, COVID-19, trauma)
- PRISMA 2020
- Prevalence meta-analysis
- Mostly retrospective, single-centre studies; heterogeneous populations (sepsis, COVID-19, trauma)
Pooled result
Short-term mortality
Odds ratio
2.33
CI 1.90–2.87
Low muscle mass vs Preserved muscle mass
OR 2.33 (CI 1.90–2.87)
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
| Outcome | OR (CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term mortality (> 30 days)I2 = 62.24% | 2.67 (1.45–4.92) | |
| 0.20.5125Odds ratio (log scale) |
- Long-term mortality (> 30 days): evaluated in 11 studies
Overall prevalence of low muscle mass
- Prevalence of low muscle mass
- 42% (CI 34-49%, I2 = 98.2%)
Original publication
Exploring the association between computed tomography (CT)-derived skeletal muscle mass and short- and long-term mortality in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Care. Published 3 June 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →