An observational study in Sarcopenia and Gastrointestinal Neoplasms, sponsored by Van Training and Research Hospital. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 60 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-14.
Sponsored by Van Training and Research Hospital · Observational
This prospective cohort study aims to evaluate the association between preoperative sarcopenia and postoperative outcomes in patients aged 60 years or older undergoing elective surgery for gastrointestinal cancer. Sarcopenia will be assessed preoperatively using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) criteria, including muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance, together with the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls (SARC-F) questionnaire and calf circumference measurement. Participants will be followed for 90 days after surgery. Postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and 30-day and 90-day mortality will be evaluated.
Sarcopenia is characterized by reduced muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance and may be associated with unfavorable postoperative outcomes in older patients with cancer. This prospective, single-center observational cohort study will include patients aged 60 years or older who are scheduled to undergo elective surgery for gastrointestinal cancer at Van Training and Research Hospital.
Before surgery, demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, and cancer diagnosis, will be recorded. Sarcopenia will be evaluated according to the EWGSOP2 criteria using measurements of muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance. The SARC-F questionnaire and calf circumference measurement will also be performed as part of the preoperative assessment.
Participants will receive standard surgical and perioperative care, and no treatment or intervention will be assigned by the study protocol. Patients will be observed for 90 days after surgery. Outcomes will include postoperative surgical complications, length of hospital stay, 30-day mortality, and 90-day mortality. Postoperative complications of interest will include anastomotic leakage, wound-related complications, oral intake intolerance, and delayed mobilization. The study will compare these outcomes between patients with and without preoperative sarcopenia and assess whether sarcopenia is independently associated with adverse postoperative outcomes.
1,329 studies on the registry are indexed under Sarcopenia; 420 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 100 is below the median of 120 across 455 observational studies indexed under Sarcopenia.
Browse Sarcopenia studies →Van Training and Research Hospital is the lead sponsor of 8 studies on the registry; 5 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Patients aged 60 years or older with gastrointestinal system cancer who are scheduled to undergo elective surgery at the General Surgery Clinic of Van Training and Research Hospital.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants aged 60 years or older undergoing elective surgery for gastrointestinal cancer who are identified as having preoperative sarcopenia according to the EWGSOP2 criteria. Participants will receive standard surgical and perioperative care without any study-assigned intervention.
Other: Preoperative Sarcopenia Status
Participants aged 60 years or older undergoing elective surgery for gastrointestinal cancer who are not identified as having preoperative sarcopenia according to the EWGSOP2 criteria. Participants will receive standard surgical and perioperative care without any study-assigned intervention.
Other: Preoperative Sarcopenia Status
Preoperative sarcopenia status will be determined according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) criteria using assessments of muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance. The SARC-F questionnaire and calf circumference measurement will also be performed. No therapeutic intervention will be assigned by the study protocol.
Incidence of postoperative complications
The number and percentage of participants who experience at least one postoperative complication, including anastomotic leakage, wound-related complications, oral intake intolerance, delayed mobilization, or another surgery-related complication. Complications will be identified through inpatient records and follow-up assessments.
Time frame: From the date of surgery through 90 days after surgery
Length of hospital stay
The duration of postoperative hospitalization, calculated in days from the date of surgery to the date of hospital discharge.
Time frame: From the date of surgery through hospital discharge, an average of 7 days
30-day all-cause mortality
The number and percentage of participants who die from any cause within 30 days after surgery.
Time frame: Within 30 days after surgery
90-day all-cause mortality
The number and percentage of participants who die from any cause within 90 days after surgery.
Time frame: Within 90 days after surgery
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Van Training and Research Hospital