Sarcopenia Risk Screening in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer Using SARC-F (NCT07405307) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Sarcopenia Risk Screening in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer Using SARC-F
Slovenia44 participantsStarted 2023-09-01
Plain-language summary
Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength and is associated with worse outcomes in cancer patients. It can negatively affect prognosis, increase postoperative complications, reduce tolerance to systemic therapy, and impair quality of life. Sarcopenia may be present even in patients with preserved nutritional status or overweight.
This study evaluated the proportion of patients with gastrointestinal cancer who were at risk of sarcopenia, as assessed by the SARC-F screening questionnaire, before initiation of systemic treatment and during treatment. Patients with a positive screening result could be referred for further nutritional evaluation and assessment of sarcopenia severity using anthropometric measurements and DXA, according to standard clinical practice.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Proportion of gastrointestinal cancer patients with positive SARC-F screening
Timeframe: Baseline (before start of systemic treatment) and during systemic treatment (after 3 months)