Association Between Muscle L3 CT Scan Muscle Derived Parameters of Muscle Function Upon Intensive… (NCT07483710) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Association Between Muscle L3 CT Scan Muscle Derived Parameters of Muscle Function Upon Intensive Care Unit Admission and 3 Months Mortality After ICU Discharge for Patients Admitted for Septic Shock. The SIMS Study
France196 participantsStarted 2026-04-01
Plain-language summary
Muscle dysfunction in intensive care units is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. During septic shock, there is an increased catabolism and systemic inflammation resulting in quantitative and qualitative muscle impairment. In the intensive care setting, quantitative and qualitative assessment of muscle function is challenging due to critical care environments (general anesthesia, altered consciousness, etc.). CT scan measurement at the 3rd lumbar level has been proposed to evaluate muscle function. Recent retrospective studies have highlighted increased mortality among patients with muscle mass impairment and/or decreased muscle density.
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:
Patients hospitalized in intensive care for septic shock defined by the presence of a documented or suspected infection, plasma lactate \>2 mmol/L, and an increase in SOFA score of more than 2 points from baseline (Singer et al., 2016)
* Patients who underwent a non-contrast CT scan within 48 hours prior to admission and up to 24 hours after admission to intensive care
* Patients affiliated with or eligible for social security
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with a neuromuscular disease prior to admission to intensive care.
* Pregnant women
* Patients under guardianship and/or conservatorship
* Refusal of consent.
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.
1This study is looking at CT scan measurements of muscle mass taken when someone is admitted to the ICU with septic shock — if I were admitted for septic shock, would a CT scan of my abdomen already be part of my care, and is that the kind of scan they'd be using for this research?
2The study is tracking whether muscle size and density on a CT scan at ICU admission is linked to survival three months after discharge — does my current muscle condition or nutritional status put me in a category where this kind of research might be particularly relevant to my situation?
3Since this trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting,' how far away is it from opening, and is there any value in us keeping it on our radar as a future option for contributing to research around my care?
4This is an observational study measuring things like muscle mass and fat content from CT scans rather than testing a new treatment — does participating in something like this involve any extra procedures or risks for me beyond what my standard septic shock care would already include?
5Given that this study is focused on predicting outcomes rather than changing treatment, what would the findings from research like this actually mean for how doctors might manage septic shock patients in the future, and does it change anything about my immediate treatment plan?
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
vital status
Timeframe: 90 days
2
Total muscle mass measured at L3 (cm²/m² )
Timeframe: at inclusion
3
Total muscle density measured at L3 ( Hounsfield Unit)
Timeframe: at inclusion
4
Total fat excretion fraction measured at L3 (%)
Timeframe: at inclusion
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07483710
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne