Screening for risk of muscle loss in people with gastrointestinal cancer using SARC-F
Evaluation of the Proportion of Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer Who Have Symptoms of Sarcopenia
We will use the SARC-F questionnaire to see how many adults with gastrointestinal cancer are at risk of sarcopenia before and during systemic treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Institute of Oncology Ljubljana Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ljubljana) |
| Trial ID | NCT07405307 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational screening effort uses the SARC-F questionnaire to identify adults with gastrointestinal cancers treated at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana who are at risk of sarcopenia. Questionnaires are completed before starting systemic anticancer therapy and repeated during treatment to monitor changes over time. Patients who screen positive may be referred for further nutritional assessment and objective muscle measurements (anthropometry, DXA) according to usual clinical practice. The main outcomes are the proportion of patients who screen positive and how that proportion changes during the course of treatment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) with gastrointestinal cancer who are planned for or receiving systemic anticancer treatment and are able to complete the SARC-F questionnaire and give informed consent.
Not a fit: People not receiving systemic anticancer therapy, those unable to complete the questionnaire (for example due to severe cognitive impairment), or those already under specialized nutrition/muscle rehabilitation are unlikely to gain additional benefit from this screening.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, earlier identification of sarcopenia risk could prompt nutritional or rehabilitation interventions that may reduce complications, improve tolerance to treatment, and support quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: The SARC-F is a validated, widely recommended screening tool (EWGSOP2) and prior oncology studies show it can identify patients at risk of sarcopenia, though it has limited sensitivity and usually prompts further testing.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients (≥18 years) with gastrointestinal cancer * Patients planned for or receiving systemic anticancer treatment (adjuvant treatment or treatment of metastatic disease) * Ability to complete the SARC-F screening questionnaire * Written informed consent provided Exclusion Criteria: * Patients younger than 18 years * Patients unable to complete the questionnaire (e.g., severe cognitive impairment or inability to cooperate) * Patients not eligible for systemic anticancer treatment * Refusal to participate in the study
Where this trial is running
Ljubljana
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana — Ljubljana, Slovenia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Klavdija Korošec
- Email: kkorosec@onko-i.si
- Phone: +386 31630065
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.