Blerina Resuli

Blerina Resuli


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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31 January 2024 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Michela RobertoMichela Roberto
Michela Roberto
GBGiacomo Barchiesi
Giacomo Barchiesi
BRBlerina Resuli
Blerina Resuli
MVMonica Verrico
Monica Verrico
ISIolanda Speranza
Iolanda Speranza
Daniele SantiniDaniele Santini
Daniele Santini
(1) Background: We estimated the prevalence and clinical outcomes of sarcopenia among breast cancer patients. (2) Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out for the period between July 2023 and October 2023. Studies with breast cancer patients evaluated for sarcopenia in relation to overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), relapse of disease (DFS), pathological complete response (pCR), or toxicity to chemotherapy were included. (3) Results: Out of 359 screened studies, 16 were eligible for meta-analysis, including 6130 patients, of whom 5284 with non-MBC. Sarcopenia was evaluated with the computed tomography (CT) scan skeletal muscle index and, in two studies, with the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) appendicular lean mass index. Using different classifications and cut-off points, overall, there were 2007 sarcopenic patients (33%), of whom 1901 (95%) presented with non-MBC. Sarcopenia was associated with a 33% and 29% higher risk of mortality and progression/relapse of disease, respectively. Sarcopenic patients were more likely to develop grade 3–4 toxicity (OR 3.58, 95% CI 2.11–6.06, p < 0.0001). In the neoadjuvant setting, a higher rate of pCR was observed among sarcopenic patients (49%) (OR 2.74, 95% CI 0.92–8.22). (4) Conclusions: Our meta-analysis confirms the correlation between sarcopenia and negative outcomes, especially in terms of higher toxicity.