Evaluation of the Relationship between Psoas: lumbar Vertebral Index and Serum Inflammatory Markers in Elderly Patients

Aims: We investigated the relationship between novel inflammatory parameters and Psoas:lumbar vertebra index (PLVI) in elderly patients and assessed which parameter would have a stronger relationship with sarcopenia. 
Method: We retrospectively evaluated the prospective recorded data of patients aged over 65 who were admitted to our hospital between June 2019 and September 2020. We used the PLVI calculated using the cross-sectional area of the L4 vertebral body and the left and right psoas muscles by using computer tomography, to assess central sarcopenia. Laboratory tests were evaluated, which consisted of white blood cell (WBC), albumin, neutrophils, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, platelets, Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR). 
Results: Six hundred and eleven patients (351 females and 260 males) with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 73.7 ± 6.8years were included in this study. Statistically significant relationships were found between age and PLVI. Patient age was also significant correlated with albumin, platelets, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, and NLR. Statistically significant relationships were found between gender and PLVI. Gender was also significant correlated with albumin, platelets, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, and NLR. Psoas:lumbar vertebral index was significantly correlated with platelets and hemoglobin. 
Conclusion: According to our results, the inflammatory panel, which included NLR, PLR, CRP, and WBC, were not significantly associated with low PLVI in elderly Turkish people. Central sarcopenia was detected especially in elderly and female participants. Although the inflammatory markers were not associated with sarcopenia, platelet and hemoglobin levels were observed to be significantly correlated with sarcopenia.