Prognostic Value of the Psoas Index in Elderly Patients Undergoing Surgery for Intertrochanteric Femoral Fractures: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Abstract
Aim: This study evaluated the effect of preoperative sarcopenia, assessed by psoas muscle index, on postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing surgery for intertrochanteric femoral fractures.
Material and Methods: A total of 142 patients operated between January 2018 and August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Psoas muscle area was measured at the L3 level on preoperative CT scans and normalized to height squared. Sarcopenia was defined as a psoas index <2.45 cm²/m². Patients were divided into sarcopenic (n=62) and non-sarcopenic (n=80) groups, and perioperative outcomes, complications, ICU admission, length of stay, ambulation time, and mortality were compared.
Results: Sarcopenic patients were older and had lower BMI and albumin levels (all p<0.001). They had higher complication rates (38.7% vs. 17.5%, p=0.008), longer hospitalization (9.9 ± 3.6 vs. 7.6 ± 3.0 days, p<0.001), higher ICU admission (29.0% vs. 13.8%, p=0.028), and increased one-year mortality (29.0% vs. 11.3%, p=0.011). Low psoas index, advanced age, ASA ≥III, ICU admission, and postoperative complications independently predicted one-year mortality.
Conclusion: Low psoas index was significantly associated with increased postoperative complications, prolonged hospitalization, higher ICU admission, and greater one-year mortality in elderly patients undergoing surgery for intertrochanteric femoral fractures. These findings suggest that CT-based assessment of psoas muscle mass may provide a simple, objective, and clinically useful marker for identifying frail patients at higher perioperative risk. Incorporating psoas index into preoperative evaluation may help improve risk stratification, guide perioperative planning, and support individualized postoperative care in this vulnerable patient population.
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Ethical Statement
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Clinical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Ubeydullah Demir
0009-0005-9334-5917
Türkiye
Hayati Kart
0000-0002-7758-3377
Türkiye
Necati Çiçek
0000-0002-3236-0225
Türkiye
Fuat Akpinar
0000-0001-9399-8516
Türkiye
Publication Date
May 24, 2026
Submission Date
October 24, 2025
Acceptance Date
April 24, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 2