Pectoral muscle area index is an independent protective factor for mortality in sepsis patients: a retrospective observational study

In this study, 88 patients survived, whereas 46 did not survive at the 28-day mark. Body mass index (BMI) (<i>P</i> = 0.044), pectoral muscle area (<i>P</i> = 0.005), pectoral muscle density (<i>P</i> = 0.008), and pectoral muscle area index (<i>P</i> = 0.003) significantly differed between patients who survived and those who did not survive. BMI was positively correlated with pectoral muscle area (<i>r</i> = 0.516, <i>P</i> < 0.001) and index (<i>r</i> = 0.560, <i>P</i> < 0.001). Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.119, <i>P</i> < 0.001) constituted an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality, whereas the pectoral muscle area index (HR, 0.847; <i>P</i> = 0.027) was a protective factor for 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis. The pectoral muscle area index was associated with a reduced risk of early mortality in patients with sepsis.