CT pectoralis muscle area is associated with DXA lean mass and correlates with emphysema progression in a tobacco-exposed cohort

Conclusions PMA is an accessible measure of muscle mass and may serve as a useful clinical surrogate for assessing skeletal muscle loss in smokers. Decreased PMA correlated with emphysema progression but not lung function decline, suggesting a difference in the pathophysiology driving emphysema, airflow obstruction and comorbidity risk.

http://thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/78/4/394?rss=1

Source: Thorax - March 15, 2023 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: O'Brien, M. E., Zou, R. H., Hyre, N., Leader, J. K., Fuhrman, C. R., Sciurba, F. C., Nouraie, M., Bon, J. Tags: Thorax Skeletal muscle Source Type: research