Possible Sarcopenia and Functional Decline After Colorectal or Gastric Cancer Surgery.

Background/Aim: While possible sarcopenia may influence short-term outcomes following gastrointestinal cancer surgery, its relationship with physical function at discharge remains poorly characterized. This study investigated the association between preoperative possible sarcopenia and functional decline at discharge. Patients and Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included 200 consecutive patients who underwent elective colorectal or gastric cancer resection at Saitama Sekishinkai Hospital between January 2024 and August 2025. Possible sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2025 (AWGS 2025) criteria. Functional decline at discharge was defined as a decrease of ≥1 point in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) total score from the preoperative assessment to discharge. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: =0.027). Similar results were observed in patients aged ≥65 years. Conclusion: Preoperative possible sarcopenia was independently associated with functional decline at discharge after colorectal or gastric cancer resection. Handgrip strength assessment may be a practical preoperative screening tool for identifying patients at risk and for planning perioperative rehabilitation or prehabilitation.