Nutritional assessment in patients with cirrhosis

Handgrip strength: Best practice for a rapid nutrition screening and risk stratification in male patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, a classification and regression tree analysis study

BACKGROUND

Rapid nutrition screening (NS) is vital for apt management in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC).

AIM

To identify a quick method of NS having high reliability and prognostic significance.

METHODS

NS of patients with ALC was assessed using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), handgrip strength (HGS), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and the Royal Free Hospital-Global Assessment (RFH-GA). Baseline clinical and biochemical information were recorded along with 90-day survival data. The classification and regression tree method was used to classify HGS, MUAC, and FFMI values as well nourished (WN), moderately malnourished (MM), and severely malnourished (SM), and their concordance with RFH-GA categories was assessed using Kendall tau-b coefficient. The prognostic proficiency of each method was tested by Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

According to the RFH-GA, of 140 male patients with ALC, 13 of 140 (9.3%) were WN, 93 of 140 (66.4%) were MM, and 34 of 140 (26.8%) were SM. HGS has the strongest association with the RFH-GA (Kendall tau-b = 0.772; diagnostic accuracy -81.4%). HGS was found to be the independent predictor of 90-day mortality (26 of 140 [18.6%]; hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.98; P = 0.002) after adjusting for age, body mass index, and disease severity. The hazard of mortality was 8.5-times higher in patients with ALC with HGS < 22 kg as compared with those with HGS > 29.

CONCLUSION

HGS is a reliable tool for rapid NS. HGS < 22 kg suggests a high risk for severe malnutrition and is strongly associated with short-term mortality in male patients with ALC.

Role of the phase angle in the prognosis of the cirrhotic patient: 15 years of follow-up

BACKGROUND

In 2019, cirrhosis accounted for 2.4% of global deaths. The projection for 2030 is an increase in this index. In recent years, hospitalization costs have escalated by 36% for compensated cirrhosis and 24% for decompensated cirrhosis. Therefore, it is necessary to identify a tool capable of predicting the mortality of these patients according to their clinical condition and consequently extending their survival time. Different studies have shown that the phase angle (PA) can be a feasible method in clinical practice, with the potential to guide assertive patient management in the therapeutic of chronic liver disease.

AIM

To evaluate the prognostic role of PA in cirrhotic patients over a 15-year follow-up period.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study with 129 cirrhotic patients of both sexes over 18 years old. Diagnosis of cirrhosis by liver biopsy. The first year of data collection was 2007, and data regarding outcomes was collected in 2023. Data were gathered from medical records, such as esophageal varices (EV), EV bleeding, ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), encephalopathy, laboratory findings and PA. The cut-off value for the PA was 5.4°, a value described in 2012 by Fernandes et al for 129 patients evaluated in this study and the cut-off points for the Brazilian population presented in percentiles (P), as described by Mattiello et al. The mortality was assessed using the PA percentile through Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate binary logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into two groups according to the PA 5.4th (PA > 5.4°, n = 40; PA ≤ 5.4°, n = 89) PA percentile (< P50, n = 56; ≥ P50 n = 73). The percentile classification was more accurate in identifying long-term deaths than the 5.4º PA. Patients with < P50 had a higher number of relevant complications such as ascites, SBP, liver encephalopathy and HCC. PA is strongly correlated with serum albumin (P < 0.001), International Normalized Ratio (P = 0.01), total bilirubin (P = 0.02) and direct bilirubin (P = 0.003). PA is correlated with survival time (P < 0.001) and length of stay (P = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis shows that an increase of 1° in PA enlarges the cirrhotic patient's chance of survival by 17.7%.

CONCLUSION

PA is a good predictor of morbidity and mortality for cirrhotic patients. The PA by percentile showed greater sensitivity in predicting mortality compared to the cut-off point of 5.4º.

Role of the phase angle in the prognosis of the cirrhotic patient: 15 years of follow-up

The documentation of psychological trauma is obviously a challenge to clinicians while they are diving deep into remote events related to their clients or patients. The potential role of psychological trauma in the early developmental stages, and even the existence of adverse childhood experiences, is important to prove, yet it is difficult to do so. A diverse range of methods have been applied, all of which presumably benchmark a big therapeutic step; however, these enthusiastic methods frequently do not last for long. While hypnosis supporters, Freudian and Neo-Freudian disciples can be acute enough to enhance and uncover suppressed memories, modern psychiatry relies mostly on diversely structured interviews. Functional magnetic resonance and its related subtleties might help, but the questions that remain unanswered are numerous and confusing. Connecting early experiences with long-term memory while identifying psychological trauma its importance for the individual’s growth trajectory; thus, it remains an intriguing issue.

The use of phase angle in patients with digestive and liver diseases

Diseases of the liver and the digestive system can lead to malnutrition through an action of reduced food intake or nutrient use, inflammation and impaired metabolism, which result in substantial changes in body composition. Frequently, malnutrition manifests itself with weight loss and reduced muscle mass. However, weight loss and body mass index lack sensitivity to detect the loss of muscle mass and are not informative in distinguishing body water compartments and in characterizing their distribution. This issue is particularly relevant to these two disease models, which are frequently associated with fluid volume imbalances. Phase angle is a useful indicator for cell membrane integrity, water distribution between the intracellular and extracellular spaces and prediction of body cell mass as it is described by measured components of electrical impedance. Malnutrition, inflammation and oxidative stress impair electric tissue properties leading to lower values of PhA. In patients with inflammatory bowel and liver diseases, PhA was consistently found to be related to nutritional status and body composition, particularly the depletion of lean body mass and sarcopenia. It has been associated with prognosis, disease stage and severity and found to be helpful in monitoring fluid shifts and response to interventions.

Relationship between phase angle, steatosis, and liver fibrosis in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition, lipodystrophy, and dyslipidemia are prevalent characteristics in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with or without previous treatment. Such a clinical condition can lead to the hypothesis of the presence of hepatic steatosis with possible progression to fibrosis and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Notably, a low phase angle (PA), evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), is an independent prognostic marker of clinical progression and survival in HIV-infected patients.

AIM

To evaluate the relationship between PA and body composition with steatosis and hepatic fibrosis in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study by convenience sampling of coinfected HIV/HCV patients, in which all patients underwent transient elastography (Fibroscan) and BIA evaluation. Student's t test was used for group comparisons, and Spearman's or Pearson's correlation test was used when appropriate. The significance level was set at 5%, and analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.0.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients who received antiretroviral therapy met the inclusion criteria, and 23 (53.5%) were under treatment with protease inhibitors (PIs). There was no difference in PA between those who used PIs and those who did not (P = 0.635). There was no correlation between fibrosis grade and PA (P = 0.355) or lean mass (P = 0.378). There was a significant inverse correlation between the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and lean mass (P = 0.378), positive correlation between PA and lean mass (P = 0.378), and negative correlation between PA and fatty mass (P = 0.378), although the CAP and PA were not correlated. When evaluated by sex, no significant correlations were found.

CONCLUSION

PA determines the muscle function of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, and the CAP values reinforce the association with lean mass, suggesting that patients require early nutritional interventions.

Assessment of resting energy expenditure in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition affects 20% to 50% of patients with cirrhosis. It may be associated with serious complications and has a direct impact on prognosis. Resting energy expenditure (REE) is an important parameter to guide the optimization of therapy and recovery of nutritional status in patients with cirrhosis. However, the REE of patients with cirrhosis is still unclear, casting doubt upon the optimal nutritional management approach.

AIM

To identify the best method that predicts the REE of cirrhotic patients, using indirect calorimetry (IC) as the gold standard.

METHODS

An observational study was performed on 90 patients with cirrhosis. REE was assessed by IC, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and predictive formulas, which were compared using Bland-Altman plots and the Student’s t-test.

RESULTS

REE values measured by IC (1607.72 ± 257.4 kcal) differed significantly from those determined by all other methods (BIA: 1790.48 ± 352.1 kcal; Harris & Benedict equation: 2373.54 ± 254.9 kcal; IOM equation: 1648.95 ± 185.6 kcal; Cunningham equation: 1764.29 ± 246.2 kcal), except the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Health Organization, and United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UNU) (1616.07 ± 214.6 kcal) and McArdle (1611.30 ± 241.8 kcal) equations. We found no significant association when comparing IC and 24-h dietary recall among different Child-Pugh classes of cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION

The IOM and FAO/WHO/UNU equations have the best agreement with the CI. These results indicate a possibility of different tools for the clinical practice on cirrhotic patients.

Reference Data of Phase Angle Using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Overweight and Obese Chinese

INTRODUCTION

Phase angle (PhA) is a ratio of reactance and resistance {arctangent (reactance (Xc)/resistance (R)) × (180°/π)}, which can be obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). PhA indicates cellular health and integrity, and it is also considered as a prognostic tool in medical disorders and an indicator of nutritional status (especially of muscle quality) in patients with obesity. However, PhA has limited usefulness in clinical practice because of a lackness of reference values for Chinese overweight and obese populations. The main aim of this study was to show PhA reference data in different age and BMI groups by sex. In addition, we also study the association of age, sex, and BMI on PhA.

METHODS

A total of 1729 overweight and obese participants were included in this study. PhA and body composition were measured using segmental multifrequency BIA. Differences in mean values for variables were tested by one-way analysis of variance. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the associations of PhA with age, sex and BMI.

RESULTS

Multiple regression analysis showed that age, sex and BMI were significant (P < 0.05) independent influence factors of PhA in Chinese overweight and obese adults when age and BMI were continues variables. The mean PhA value for all participants was 5.5°. Mean BMI, age, weight, height and 50kHz-PhA were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in male participants than female ones. In age groups and BMI groups, mean 50kHz-PhA was significantly higher (P < 0.005) in male participants than female ones. When age groups and BMI groups were categorical variables, multiple regression analysis showed that different age groups (46-55 years and ≥ 56 years) had a significantly lower (P < 0.005) PhA as compared with the baseline group (18-25 years) and different BMI groups (≥ 28 kg/m²) had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) PhA as compared with the baseline group (24-27.9 kg/m²).

CONCLUSION

PhA differed according to age, sex and BMI. Reference data in this study can be taken into consideration when deriving the reference values for overweight and obese Chinese populations.

REDUCED PERIPHERAL AND INSPIRATORY MUSCLE ENDURANCE IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

BACKGROUND

Liver cirrhosis (LC) causes several musculoskeletal changes.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that the peripheral and inspiratory muscle endurance are reduced in patients with liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with LC (LC group; 61±14 years) and 18 age-matched subjects (control group; 56±17 years) had accepted to participate in this cross-sectional observational study. To assess peripheral muscle endurance, all volunteers performed a rhythmic handgrip exercise at 45% of their maximum voluntary contraction. A metronome was used to control the contraction-relaxation cycles at 60/min. The inspiratory muscle endurance was assessed using PowerBreath®. Participants underwent inspiratory muscle exercise at 60% of their maximal inspiratory muscle strength. The time until failure characterized the muscle endurance for both handgrip and inspiratory muscle exercises. Additionally, the quality of life of the participants was assessed.

RESULTS

The muscle endurance was lower in the LC group when compared to the control group for both handgrip (67 vs 130 s, P<0.001) and inspiratory muscle exercises (40 vs 114 s, P<0.001). The peripheral muscle endurance was directly correlated with the total quality of life score (r=0.439, P=0.01) and to the following domains: fatigue (r=0.378 e P=0.030), activity (r=0.583, P=0.001), systemic symptoms (r=0.316, P=0.073) and preoccupation (r=0.370, P=0.034). The inspiratory muscle endurance was inversely correlated with the total quality of life score (r=0.573, P=0.001) and the following domains: fatigue (r=0.503, P=0.002), activity (r=0.464, P=0.004), systemic symptoms (r=0.472, P=0.004), abdominal symptoms (r=0.461, P=0.005), emotional function (r=0.387, P=0.02) and preoccupation (r=0.519, P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Both peripheral and inspiratory muscle endurance were lower in LC patients when compared to the control group.

Assessment of nutritional status of the cirrhotic patients on enteral and parenteral feeding

BACKGROUND

Cirrhosis is an irreversible disease that replaces healthy tissues with scar tissues. According to the Pakistan Medical Research Council's national general population survey (2008-2014), the ratio of cirrhosis was 4.8% among the population.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the nutritional status of cirrhotic patients on enteral and parenteral nutrition and to assess the degree of malnutrition among cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Shalamar and Shiekh Zayed Hospitals of Lahore from January-April 2017. The convenient sampling technique was used. Inclusion criteria were the patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, whereas compensated patients were excluded from the study. Data were collected through the patient's file, nurse's, and dietitian's notes. The nutritional status of participants was assessed based on socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical assessment, clinical signs, and dietary recall. Variables were categorized and compared to observe the level of significance in enteral and parenteral nutrition. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze data.

RESULTS

Patients on parenteral nutrition had a higher ratio of malnutrition with a significant Child-Pugh score-61.8% of patients belonged to Class C and 35.3% Class B, while in enteral support, 7.3% belonged to Class C and 43.9% patients belonged to Class B (p-value = 0.000). There was a definite relationship observed in the route of intake and malnutrition among cirrhotic patients.

CONCLUSION

Enteral route of nutrition is an effective and the safest way to provide appropriate nutrients according to the patient's demands.

Determining Whether Low Protein Intake (<1.0 g/kg) Is a Risk Factor for Malnutrition in Patients with Cirrhosis

Background: The prevalence of malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis is considerably high. Body mass index (BMI) is a well-known risk factor for malnutrition, but the other risk factors are unknown. We investigated the prevalence of malnutrition and its risk factors in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: In total, 361 patients with cirrhosis were enrolled. Muscle quality and quantity were retrospectively assessed using the grip strength test and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Subjective global assessment (SGA) of malnutrition and dietary intake assessments were performed by a clinical dietician. Results: The prevalence rates of sarcopenia, malnutrition assessed by SGA, and inadequate energy intake were 22.7%, 13.6%, and 27.5%, respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition evaluated using any of the assessment methods was 46.3%, and no significant difference was observed according to liver disease etiology. The prevalence of malnutrition increased with the increasing disease severity (p = 0.034) and decreasing BMI (p = 0.007). The prevalence of malnutrition was 64.4% in patients with protein intake <1.0 g/kg. Low protein intake, Child–Pugh C grade, older age, and low BMI were independent risk factors for malnutrition in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Low protein intake (<1.0 g/kg) is an independent risk factor for malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis.

Oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) for cirrhotic patients undergoing liver resection assessed by ultrasound measurement of rectus femoris and anterior tibialis muscles thickness. Randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE

We evaluated the effects of postoperative administration of (ONSs) on the liver function and the outcome of cirrhotic patients using ultrasound (US) assessment of rectus femoris (RF) and anterior tibialis (AT) muscles.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-three malnourished adult hepatic patients who underwent major liver resections were recruited in this study. In the conventional diet (CD) group, the patients took water at postoperative day (POD) 0 and routine soft diet starting from POD1. In the ONS group, a commercially elemental diet was started from POD1 for 7 days postoperatively, with a target endpoint of 35-40 kcal/kg and 1.2-1.5 g/kg of protein per day. US assessment of the RF and AT muscles was done preoperatively and at POD3 and 7, including anterior-posterior (AP) diameter, lateral-lateral (LL) diameter, and cross-sectional area (CSA). Muscles' echogenicity was defined by the Heckmatt scale. The outcome of the patients was also recorded.

RESULTS

Consumption of ONS preserved the measured RF and AT characteristics (AP and LL diameters and CSA) in the ONS group at POD3 and 7 compared to the CD group. Heckmatt scale was significantly increased at POD3 and 7 in the CD group compared to the ONS group. Both total protein and albumin levels at POD3 and 7 were significantly lower in the CD group compared to the ONS group [P = (0.02, 0.03) and (0.05, 0.04), respectively]. Serum phosphate was significantly lower at POD7 in the ONS group than the CD group (p = 0.04). There were significant decreases in the ICU stay and time of passing flatus (h) in the ONS group comparing with the CD group (P = 0.045 and P = 0.00, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

ONS maintains muscle mass and echogenicity of RF and AT along with better liver function and intestinal function recovery.

Resting energy expenditure in cirrhotic patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of malnutrition in patients with independent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies from 20% to 50%, is related to important complications and has a direct impact on the prognosis. Determination of the resting energy expenditure (REE) has become an important parameter in this population, as it allows therapeutic adjustments to recover their nutritional status. The REE in cirrhosis, with and without HCC, is not clearly defined, and requires the identification and definition of the best nutritional approach.

AIM

To evaluate the REE of patients with cirrhosis, with and without HCC.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study evaluating the REE of 118 patients, 33 with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and a control group of 85 patients with cirrhosis without HCC, using indirect calorimetry (IC), bioimpedance, and predictive formulas.

RESULTS

The REE determined by IC in cirrhotic patients with HCC was 1643 ± 364 and in those without HCC was 1526 ± 277 (P = 0.064). The REE value as assessed by bioimpedance was 1529 ± 501 for those with HCC and 1660 ± 385 for those without HCC (P = 0.136). When comparing the values of REE determined by IC and predictive formulas in cirrhotics with HCC, it was observed that only the formulas of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) (1985) and Cunningham (1980) presented values similar to those determined by IC. When comparing the REE values determined by IC and predictive formulas in cirrhotics without HCC, it was observed that the formulas of Schofield (1985), FAO/WHO (1985), WHO (2000), Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2005) and Katch and McArdie (1996) presented values similar to those determined by IC.

CONCLUSION

The FAO/WHO formula (1985) could be used for cirrhotic patients with or without HCC; as it is the one with the values closest to those obtained by IC in these cirrhotic patients.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis evaluates cellularity and hydration in cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition in cirrhotic patients is correlated with mortality and a better response to liver transplantation. However, recovery of the nutritional status in these patients is a challenge due to the difficulty in establishing a reliable nutritional diagnosis. The bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method appears as a feasible tool in clinical practice to define the physiological state of cirrhotic patients by assessing hydration and body cellularity.

AIM

To evaluate body composition in cirrhotic patients using BIVA.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out by following cirrhotic outpatients at a hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. A tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance analysis device was used to evaluate cellularity and hydration and to perform the BIVA. The BIVA graphic was elaborated by software and for statistical analysis a significance level of 5% (P ≤ 0.05) was considered.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety patients, 61.1% males, with a mean age of 56.6 ± 11.0 years, were evaluated. Of these, 56.3% had Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) A score, and the prevalent etiology was hepatitis C virus (47.4%). The patients were classified according to cellularity and hydration by the quadrants and ellipses of the BIVA method, quadrant 1 (47.9%); quadrant 2 (18.9%); quadrant 3 (14.2%); and quadrant 4 (18.9%). Those classified in quadrant 1 and 2 had a higher phase angle compared to those in quadrants 3 and 4 (P < 0.001). Quadrant 2 patients had a lower average age than the other groups. The association with CTP score showed that patients in quadrant 2 had a higher proportion of CTP A, and those in quadrant 4 had a higher proportion of CTP C (P < 0.052).

CONCLUSION

The BIVA method allows identification of the cellularity and hydration status of cirrhotic patients, and its association with clinical factors determines the disease severity, age and prognostic index.

Nutritional assessment and factors affecting dietary intake in patients with cirrhosis: A single-center observational study

OBJECTIVES

Malnutrition is predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. We investigated prevalence of malnutrition and factors affecting dietary intake in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

Single-center cross-sectional observational study. A total of 251 patients with cirrhosis underwent dietary and nutritional assessment by subjective global assessment (SGA) and anthropometric measurement (dry body mass index, midarm circumference, midarm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, handgrip strength). Dietary intake was assessed in terms of total calories and protein intake, percentage of recommended intake, and per kilogram body weight per day. Factors influencing dietary intake were also assessed.

RESULTS

Of 251 patients 199 (79%) were male and 52 (21%) were female (mean age, 51 ± 14 y, Child's A:B:C: 83:116:52). In SGA analysis 87 (35%) were well nourished (SGA-A), 106 (42%) were moderately nourished (SGA-B), and 58 (23%) were severely malnourished (SGA-C). Patients with Child's C score were severely malnourished compared with patients with Child's B and A scores. Midarm circumference, midarm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, and handgrip strength were significantly higher in SGA-A than SGA-B and SGA-C. Patients in SGA-A (1939 ± 479 kcal/d) consumed significantly higher calories than SGA-B (1494 ± 216 kcal/d) and SGA-C (1321 ± 213 kcal/d). Percentage of recommended calories intake (SGA-A [76%], SGA-B [61%], SGA-C [59%], P = 0.001) and calories/kg/d is also higher in SGA-A than SGA-B and SGA-C. The results with protein intake were similar (SGA-A [61 ± 14 gm/d], SGA-B [56 ± 7 gm/d], SGA-C [51 ± 9 gm/d], P = 0.001). Protein intake in g/kg/d is significantly lower in SGA-C (0.76 ± 0.22) than SGA-B (0.85 ± 0.2) and SGA-A (0.93 ± 0.2). A total of 61% patients were vegetarian, and 84% did not take evening snacks. Poor appetite (n = 68, 27%), early satiety (n = 75, 30%), abdominal fullness (n = 62, 25%), low-salt diet (n = 52, 21%), and social myth about diet 43(17%) were the common reasons for poor intake. Distension of abdomen, social myth about diet, and low sodium in diet were key factors affecting dietary intake in patients with cirrhosis and malnutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition seen in 65% of patients. Total calories and protein intake was significantly low compared with recommendation even in well-nourished patients. Distension of abdomen, social myth about diet, and low sodium in diet were key factors affecting dietary intake in patients with cirrhosis and malnutrition.

Phase Angle Is an Independent Predictor of 6-Month Mortality in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the nutrition status through phase angle (PA) and its association with mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was performed with hospitalized decompensated cirrhotic patients. Nutrition status was assessed by PA, bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) within 72 hours of hospital admission. The best PA cutoff point for malnutrition diagnosis was determined by ROC curve analysis, considering the SGA as the reference standard. Predictors of 6-month mortality were identified using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for Child-Pugh and MELD scores, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

RESULTS

This study included 97 patients, 63% male (n = 61), with a mean age of 60.1 ± 10.3 years. The median follow-up time of patients was 11.2 months (IQR, 2.4-21). Overall mortality was 58.8% (n = 57) and 6-month mortality was 35.1% (n = 34). Nutrition assessment according to BIVA indicated a risk for cachexia and normal hydration. Patients with values of PA ≤5.52° were considered malnourished. Malnourished patients according to PA (58.8%, n = 57) had a higher risk of 6-month mortality (HR = 3.44; 95% CI, 1.51-7.84; P = .003), and each increase of 1° in PA values was associated with a reduction of 53% in 6-month mortality risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The PA is an independent predictor of 6-month mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Therefore, PA may be useful to assess the nutrition status and identify patients at the highest risk of mortality in clinical practice.

MALNUTRITION IN CIRRHOSIS: ASSOCIATION WITH ETIOLOGY AND HEPATOCELLULAR DYSFUNCTION

BACKGROUND

The protein-energy malnutrition alters the prognosis of patients with cirrhosis. Its prevalence may vary according to the etiology of liver disease, it´s severity and the evaluation of the method applied. The infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcoholism are the main etiologies of cirrhosis and result in a significant morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the nutritional status of patients with cirrhosis according the liver disease etiology and severity.

METHODS

It is a prospective study, in which the sample was for convenience and consisted of patients with cirrhosis, infected by HCV or alcoholic etiology. The nutritional status evaluation was carried out through anthropometry, food consumption, bioelectrical impedance (BIA) and subjective global assessment (SGA). The anthropometric data evaluated were weight, height, body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold (TSF), circumference of the arm (CA), non-dominant handshake strength (FAM) and the adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APM). Patients were classified according to the severity of liver disease, using the Child-Pugh and Model for End-stage Liver Diseases (MELD) scores.

RESULTS

Ninety patients with cirrhosis were evaluated, 47 with HCV and 43 with alcoholic etiology. The prevalence of protein-calorie malnutrition ranged from 10.9% to 54.3% in the HCV group and from 4.7% to 20.9% in the alcoholic group, depending on the method used for evaluation. The group with HCV infection presented a higher malnutrition prevalence in comparison to the alcoholic in the following evaluations: TSF (P<0.001), phase angle (PA) (P=0.016) and SGA (P=0.010). PA values were lower in patients with viral cirrhosis (5.68±1.05) when compared to those with alcoholic etiology (6.61±2.31) (P=0.016). When all patients were analyzed, regardless of etiology, an inversely correlation was observed among Child-Pugh score and PA values (P=0.018).

CONCLUSION

HCV cirrhosis showed worse nutritional parameters in comparison to alcoholic etiology; however, the PA was associated with worse liver function in both etiologies.

Correlation Analysis between Household Hygiene and Sanitation and Nutritional Status and Female Leprosy in Gresik Regency

Leprosy, also known as morbus Hansen's disease, is a chronic disease caused by M. leprae. Leprosy attacks various parts of the body including nerves and skin. The most important factor in the occurrence of leprosy is the sources of transmission and contact, both from patients and the environment. Household conditions where the person lives and the nutritional status of the individual can be a risk factor for leprosy. Household hygiene and sanitation can be seen from several aspects, like the physical environment of the house, clean water facilities, personal hygiene, availability of latrines, waste disposal facilities, and garbage disposal. This study was aimed to determine the correlation between household hygiene sanitation and nutritional status with females with leprosy in Gresik Regency. This case-control study was conducted in December 2019 in Gresik Regency. The subjects of this study were 74 respondents taken by consecutive sampling techniques. Retrieval of data was carried out using observations from the healthy house component questionnaire, personal hygiene questionnaire, and direct measurement. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test. The results showed significant correlation between physical environment of the house (p=0.001, OR = 0.104), clean water facilities (p=0.008, OR = 0.261), availability of latrines (p=0.018, OR = 0.209), waste disposal facilities (p=0.015, OR = 0.291), and personal hygiene (p=0.001, OR = 2.850) and female leprosy in Gresik Regency. There is no correlation between nutritional status (p=0.085, OR = 0.422) and wastewater disposal waste (p=0.183, OR = 0.486) and female leprosy in this study.

Phase Angle as an Indicator of Sarcopenia, Malnutrition, and Cachexia in Inpatients with Cardiovascular Diseases

Malnutrition is associated with sarcopenia, cachexia, and prognosis. We investigated the usefulness of phase angle (PhA) as a marker of sarcopenia, cachexia, and malnutrition in 412 hospitalized patients with cardiovascular disease. We analyzed body composition with bioelectrical impedance analysis, and nutritional status such as controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score. Both skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and PhA correlated with age, grip strength and knee extension strength (p < 0.0001) in both sexes. The SMI value correlated with CONUT score, Hb, and Alb in males. Phase angle also correlated with CONUT score, Hb, and Alb in males, and more strongly associated with these nutritional aspects. In females, PhA was correlated with Hb and Alb (p < 0.001). In both sexes, sarcopenia incidence was 31.6% and 32.4%; PhA cut-off in patients with sarcopenia was 4.55° and 4.25°; and cachexia incidence was 11.5% and 14.1%, respectively. The PhA cut-off in males with cachexia was 4.15°. Multivariate regression analysis showed that grip strength and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were independent determinants of SMI, whereas grip strength, BNP, and Hb were independent determinants of PhA. Thus, PhA appears to be a useful marker for sarcopenia, malnutrition, and cachexia in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular disease.

Royal Free Hospital-Nutritional Prioritizing Tool improves the prediction of malnutrition risk outcomes in liver cirrhosis patients compared with Nutritional Risk Screening 2002

The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines recommend the Royal Free Hospital-Nutritional Prioritizing Tool (RFH-NPT) to identify malnutrition risk in patients with liver disease. However, little is known about the application of the RFH-NPT to screen for the risk of malnutrition in China, where patients primarily suffer from hepatitis virus-related cirrhosis. A total of 155 cirrhosis patients without liver cancer or uncontrolled co-morbid illness were enrolled in this prospective study. We administered the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), RFH-NPT, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Liver Disease Undernutrition Screening Tool (LDUST) to the patients within 24 h after admission and performed follow-up observations for 1·5 years. The RFH-NPT and NRS-2002 had higher sensitivities (64·8 and 52·4 %) and specificities (60 and 70 %) than the other tools with regard to screening for malnutrition risk in cirrhotic patients. The prevalence of nutritional risk was higher under the use of the RFH-NPT against the NRS-2002 (63 v. 51 %). The RFH-NPT tended more easily to detect malnutrition risk in patients with advanced Child–Pugh classes (B and C) and lower Model for End-stage Liver Disease scores (<15) compared with NRS-2002. RFH-NPT score was an independent predictive factor for mortality. Patients identified as being at high malnutrition risk with the RFH-NPT had a higher mortality rate than those at low risk; the same result was not obtained with the NRS-2002. Therefore, we suggest that using the RFH-NPT improves the ability of clinicians to predict malnutrition risk in patients with cirrhosis primarily caused by hepatitis virus infection at an earlier stage.

Muscle depletion in cirrhotic patients assessed using computed tomography: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is a common complication in patients with cirrhosis and may lead to increased morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with disease severity scores, among patients with cirrhosis.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Observational and retrospective cohort study carried out in a tertiary-care hospital in southern Brazil.

METHODS

This study was conducted among patients with chronic liver disease who were followed up at the gastroenterology and hepatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary-care hospital in southern Brazil and who underwent computed tomography scans of the abdomen through any indication.

RESULTS

We included 83 patients in the study. In the population evaluated, there was a predominance of males (57.80%) and the mean age was 56 years. Hepatitis B or C virus was present in the genesis of the disease in 34.9% of the cases, followed by an etiology of alcohol abuse (30.1%). Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 41 (49.4%) of the patients when the cutoff point for cirrhotic patients was used. There was no significant correlation between the Child-Pugh and MELD severity scores and the occurrence of sarcopenia.

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia presents high prevalence among patients with chronic liver disease, without any association with predictors of severity.

Bioimpedance spectroscopy for fluid status assessment in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis: Implications for peritoneal dialysis

Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is routinely used in peritoneal dialysis patients and might aid fluid status assessment in patients with liver cirrhosis, but the effect of ascites volume removal on BIS-readings is unknown. Here we determined changes in BIS-derived parameters and clinical signs of fluid overload from before to after abdominal paracentesis. Per our pre-specified sample size calculation, we studied 31 cirrhotic patients, analyzing demographics, labs and clinical parameters along with BIS results. Mean volume of the abdominal paracentesis was 7.8 ± 2.6 L. From pre-to post-paracentesis, extracellular volume (ECV) decreased (20.2 ± 5.2 L to 19.0 ± 4.8 L), total body volume decreased (39.8 ± 9.8 L to 37.8 ± 8.5 L) and adipose tissue mass decreased (38.4 ± 16.0 kg to 29.9 ± 12.9 kg; all p < 0.002). Correlation of BIS-derived parameters from pre to post-paracentesis ranged from R² = 0.26 for body cell mass to R² = 0.99 for ECV. Edema did not correlate with BIS-derived fluid overload (FO ≥ 15% ECV), which occurred in 16 patients (51.6%). In conclusion, BIS-derived information on fluid status did not coincide with clinical judgement. The changes in adipose tissue mass support the BIS-model assumption that fluid in the peritoneal cavity is not detectable, suggesting that ascites (or peritoneal dialysis fluid) mass should be subtracted from adipose tissue if BIS is used in patients with a full peritoneal cavity.

Assessment and significance of sarcopenia in liver transplantation

Sarcopenia frequently occurs in cirrhotic patients who are waiting for liver transplantation (LT). This disease is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates during the LT period. Recently, the careful assessment of nutritional status for end-stage liver disease patients has received a great deal of attention; hence, numerous methods of evaluating sarcopenia have been proposed. However, most of the methods have limitations, including a lack of objectivity, reproducibility, and ability to discriminate prognoses. In addition, many reports suggest that sarcopenia be used as an adjustment factor for the selection criteria of LT and that sarcopenia be incorporated into the selection criteria for living donor LT in our center. In this article, based on a literature review, we aim to identify the current definition of sarcopenia, the available methods of measurement, the potential novel interventions for the treatment of malnutrition and the significance of sarcopenia in LT.

ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition in liver disease

This update of evidence-based guidelines (GL) aims to translate current evidence and expert opinion into recommendations for multidisciplinary teams responsible for the optimal nutritional and metabolic management of adult patients with liver disease. The GL was commissioned and financially supported by ESPEN. Members of the guideline group were selected by ESPEN. We searched for meta-analyses, systematic reviews and single clinical trials based on clinical questions according to the PICO format. The evidence was evaluated and used to develop clinical recommendations implementing the SIGN method. A total of 85 recommendations were made for the nutritional and metabolic management of patients with acute liver failure, severe alcoholic steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, liver surgery and transplantation as well as nutrition associated liver injury distinct from fatty liver disease. The recommendations are preceded by statements covering current knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology and pathobiochemistry as well as pertinent methods for the assessment of nutritional status and body composition.

EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on nutrition in chronic liver disease

A frequent complication in liver cirrhosis is malnutrition, which is associated with the progression of liver failure, and with a higher rate of complications including infections, hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. In recent years, the rising prevalence of obesity has led to an increase in the number of cirrhosis cases related to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Malnutrition, obesity and sarcopenic obesity may worsen the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis and lower their survival. Nutritional monitoring and intervention is therefore crucial in chronic liver disease. These Clinical Practice Guidelines review the present knowledge in the field of nutrition in chronic liver disease and promote further research on this topic. Screening, assessment and principles of nutritional management are examined, with recommendations provided in specific settings such as hepatic encephalopathy, cirrhotic patients with bone disease, patients undergoing liver surgery or transplantation and critically ill cirrhotic patients.

Is phase angle an appropriate indicator of malnutrition in different disease states? A systematic review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) classifies malnutrition severity via a simple bedside assessment. Phase angle (PhA) is an indicator of cell integrity and has been suggested to be indicator of nutritional status.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between PhA and SGA.

METHODS

Relevant studies published through October 31, 2017 were identified using 7 electronic databases. Articles were included for review if they included comparison data between SGA and PhA within adult disease populations. Evidence quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines and methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool.

RESULTS

33 articles within four disease states (liver, hospitalization, oncology and renal) met inclusion criteria for review. Results were limited by restricting the database search to articles published in English only, and by the inherent difficulty of comparing 2 methods which are both influenced by the operator.

CONCLUSION

Based on GRADE guidelines, evidence quality received a grade of Low. Based on QUADAS-2, 61% of studies had high risk of bias in the index test (PhA), while all other domains had low risk. It is not possible to conclude that PhA is an accurate independent indicator of malnutrition. PROSPERO no. CRD42016050876.

STORE-gastrointestinal functions and gastrointestinal hormones in patients with liver failure

This study aims to investigate the gastrointestinal functions of patients with liver failure (LF) based on gastrointestinal dysfunction (GD) scores and serum gastrointestinal hormone levels.The GD in LF patients was scored using the gastrointestinal dysfunction scoring criteria. Serum gastrin (GAS), cholecystokinin (CCK), and motilin (MTL) levels were determined in LF patients. In addition, liver function and prothrombin activity were detected, and ultrasonography was performed.The GD score was significantly higher in the LF groups than in the control group. Compared with the control group, serum GAS, CCK, and MTL levels significantly increased in the LF groups, and was positively correlated with the severity of LF. Furthermore, in the LF groups, GD was positively correlated with the severity of LF. However, the GD score and serum GAS, CCK, and MTL levels in the acute LF group were not statistically different, when compared with those in the subacute LF group, acute-on-chronic LF group and chronic LF group.LF plays a key role in the development of GD, and may be the main cause of obvious gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting and anorexia, in LF patients. The severity of GD is not associated with LF type, but is positively correlated with the severity of LF, suggesting that GD in LF patients may have complicated mechanisms.

Liver transplantation and alcoholic liver disease: History, controversies, and considerations

Alcohol consumption accounts for 3.8% of annual global mortality worldwide, and the majority of these deaths are due to alcoholic liver disease (ALD), mainly alcoholic cirrhosis. ALD is one of the most common indications for liver transplantation (LT). However, it remains a complicated topic on both medical and ethical grounds, as it is seen by many as a “self-inflicted disease”. One of the strongest ethical arguments against LT for ALD is the probability of relapse. However, ALD remains a common indication for LT worldwide. For a patient to be placed on an LT waiting list, 6 mo of abstinence must have been achieved for most LT centers. However, this “6-mo rule” is an arbitrary threshold and has never been shown to affect survival, sobriety, or other outcomes. Recent studies have shown similar survival rates among individuals who undergo LT for ALD and those who undergo LT for other chronic causes of end-stage liver disease. There are specific factors that should be addressed when evaluating LT patients with ALD because these patients commonly have a high prevalence of multisystem alcohol-related changes. Risk factors for relapse include the presence of anxiety or depressive disorders, short pre-LT duration of sobriety, and lack of social support. Identification of risk factors and strengthening of the social support system may decrease relapse among these patients. Family counseling for LT candidates is highly encouraged to prevent alcohol consumption relapse. Relapse has been associated with unique histopathological changes, graft damage, graft loss, and even decreased survival in some studies. Research has demonstrated the importance of a multidisciplinary evaluation of LT candidates. Complete abstinence should be attempted to overcome addiction issues and to allow spontaneous liver recovery. Abstinence is the cornerstone of ALD therapy. Psychotherapies, including 12-step facilitation therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and motivational enhancement therapy, help support abstinence. Nutritional therapy helps to reverse muscle wasting, weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, and trace element deficiencies associated with ALD. For muscular recovery, supervised physical activity has been shown to lead to a gain in muscle mass and improvement of functional activity. Early LT for acute alcoholic hepatitis has been the subject of recent clinical studies, with encouraging results in highly selected patients. The survival rates after LT for ALD are comparable to those of patients who underwent LT for other indications. Patients that undergo LT for ALD and survive over 5 years have a higher risk of cardiorespiratory disease, cerebrovascular events, and de novo malignancy.

Nomogram and Validity of a Model for Predicting Malnutrition in Patients on Liver Transplant Lists

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is associated with increased morbimortality in liver transplant patients, and it is important to identify factors related to nutritional status in these patients.

AIMS

Determine variables associated with malnutrition and create a nomogram in liver transplant candidates.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study (n = 110).

VARIABLES

demographic variables, imbalances due to the disease, transplant aetiology and analytical parameters. Physical examination was performed and degree of hepatic dysfunction calculated. Nutritional status was assessed: Controlling Nutritional Status, Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition criteria, Nutritional Risk Index, Prognostic Nutritional Index or Onodera Index and The Subjective Global Assessment. Logistic regression analysis was performed. A predictive nomogram (discrimination and calibration analysis) was generated.

RESULTS

Malnourishment was defined according to at least 4 or more of the methods studied. Patients with ascites, encephalopathy and portal hypertension presented malnourishment more frequently. Malnutrition was associated with greater liver dysfunction and lower grip strength. Variables independently associated with malnourishment were encephalopathy and lower albumin values. A nomogram was created to predict malnourishment, with good discriminatory power and calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

A score was developed for evaluating malnutrition risk. This would provide a tool that makes it possible to quickly and easily identify the risk of malnutrition in liver transplant candidates.

Development of a simple predictive model for decreased skeletal muscle mass in patients with compensated chronic liver disease

AIM

To develop and validate a simple predictive model using easily obtained clinical parameters to predict decreased skeletal muscle mass (DSMM) in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients (n = 652).

METHODS

Study subjects were divided into a training set (n = 326) and a validation set (n = 326). Decreased skeletal muscle mass was diagnosed based on skeletal muscle mass index measured by bioimpedance analysis. Variables significantly associated with DSMM were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses in the training set and used to construct a predictive formula. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out and the predictive model was validated in the validation set. Subgroup analyses were undertaken based on gender, age, or cirrhosis status of patients.

RESULTS

Body mass index (BMI), age, serum albumin, and branched-chain amino acid to tyrosine ratio (BTR) were determined to be significant predictive factors for DSMM. A composite formula "BALB score" was constructed [-7.740 + (0.539 × BMI) + (-0.112 × age) + (1.358 × albumin) + (-0.264 × BTR)]. The BALB score had the best predictive characteristics among all variables in both population sets (area under the ROC curve, 0.877-0.898). Patients with DSMM were stratified into three BALB score categories (>4, 0-4, and <0). Subgroup analyses also showed that BALB scoring was predictive of DSMM irrespective of gender, age, or cirrhosis status. The BALB score significantly correlated with psoas muscle index on computed tomography (r_s  = 0.6083 for men; r_s  = 0.6814 for women).

CONCLUSION

The BALB scoring system based on routinely used clinical parameters offers a convenient and non-invasive method for predicting DSMM in compensated CLD patients with high accuracy.

Nutrition and the transplant candidate

Cirrhosis is the most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) worldwide. Malnutrition is present in at least two-thirds of patients with cirrhosis awaiting LT. It negatively impacts survival, quality of life, and the ability to respond to stressors, such as infection and surgery. Muscle wasting or sarcopenia is the most objective feature of chronic protein malnutrition in cirrhosis, and this condition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality before and after LT. In addition to its objectivity, muscularity assessment with cross-sectional imaging studies is a useful marker of nutritional status in LT candidates, as sarcopenia reflects a chronic decline in the general physical condition, rather than acute severity of the liver disease. Despite the high prevalence and important prognostic role, malnutrition and sarcopenia are frequently overlooked because standards for nutritional assessment are lacking and challenges such as fluid retention and obesity are prevalent. In this review, current diagnostic methods to evaluate malnutrition, including muscle abnormalities in cirrhosis, are discussed and current knowledge regarding the incidence and clinical impact of malnutrition in cirrhosis and its impact after LT are presented. Existing and potential novel therapeutic strategies for malnutrition in cirrhosis are also discussed, emphasizing the treatment of muscle wasting in the LT candidate in an effort to improve survival while waiting for LT and to reduce morbidity and mortality after LT.Liver Transplantation 23 1451-1464 2017 AASLD.

Identifying nursing interventions associated with the accuracy used nursing diagnoses for patients with liver cirrhosis

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the nursing interventions associated with the most accurate and frequently used NANDA International, Inc. (NANDA-I) nursing diagnoses for patients with liver cirrhosis. Method: this is a descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study. Results: a total of 12 nursing diagnoses were evaluated, seven of which showed high accuracy (IVC ≥ 0.8); 70 interventions were identified and 23 (32.86%) were common to more than one diagnosis. Conclusion: in general, nurses often perform nursing interventions suggested in the NIC for the seven highly accurate nursing diagnoses identified in this study to care patients with liver cirrhosis. Accurate and valid nursing diagnoses guide the selection of appropriate interventions that nurses can perform to enhance patient safety and thus improve patient health outcomes.

A Comprehensive Review of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Other Methods in the Assessment of Nutritional Status in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

It is assumed that approximately 24–66% of patients with liver cirrhosis develop malnutrition. Numerous pathological processes lead to serious disorders of nutritional status in this group of patients. Malnutrition in the course of liver cirrhosis is associated with increased morbidity, complications, and low quality of life. Under these conditions, detection of malnutrition is of crucial importance. This review explores the complex mechanisms that lead to malnutrition in the course of liver cirrhosis and focuses on methods used in the assessment of nutritional status in cirrhotic patients. Among others, the role of bioelectrical impedance is highlighted. This noninvasive tool is promising and quite an accurate method of estimating body composition.

Subjective Global Assessment and Handgrip Strength as Predictive Factors in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Background and Aims

Malnutrition is common in patients with chronic liver disease. We aimed to evaluate malnutrition assessment tools in predicting severity and survival of patients with liver cirrhosis.

Material and Methods

We examined patients with liver cirrhosis. Nutritional evaluation was performed on admission, using subjective global assessment (SGA), handgrip strength (HGS), and anthropometry. Patients were followed up for 6 months.

Results

We included 100 patients, 72 men, with mean age of 59.2 years. According to disease severity, patients were 23% Child-Pugh A, 46% Child-Pugh B, and 31% Child-Pugh C. SGA and HGS significantly correlated with Child-Pugh, MELD, and MELD-Na scores on admission. At 6 months follow-up, 80.4% (78 of 97) of patients survived, while 3 patients were lost from observation. Survival was predicted by SGA (1 death in 32 patients SGA A, 8 deaths in 46 patients SGA B, and 9 deaths in 19 patients SGA C, p = 0.001) and HGS (25.1 ± 8.5 in deceased versus 30.6 ± 10.9 in survivors, p = 0.046). The mean BMI and MAMC values did not significantly differ between patients who survived or were deceased at 6 months.

Conclusion

HGS and SGA may predict severity and short-term survival in cirrhotic patients.

OUTCOME AND NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE PATIENTS USING ANTHROPOMETRY AND SUBJECTIVE GLOBAL ASSESSMENT

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Protein-calorie malnutrition is common in chronic liver disease (CLD) but adequate clinical tools for nutritional assessment are not defined. OBJECTIVE: In CLD patients, it was aimed: 1. Characterize protein-calorie malnutrition; 2. Compare several clinical, anthropometric and functional tools; 3. Study the association malnutrition/CLD severity and malnutrition/outcome. METHODS: Observational, prospective study. Consecutive CLD ambulatory/hospitalised patients were recruited from 01-03-2012 to 31-08-2012, studied according with age, gender, etiology, alcohol consumption and CLD severity defined by Child-Turcotte-Pugh. Nutritional assessment used subjective global assessment, anthropometry, namely body-mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold, mid upper arm circumference, mid arm muscular circumference and handgrip strength. Patients were followed during two years and survival data was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 130 CLD patients (80 men), aged 22-89 years (mean 60 years) were included. Most suffered from alcoholic cirrhosis (45%). Hospitalised patients presented more severe disease ( P <0.001) and worst nutritional status defined by BMI ( P =0.002), mid upper arm circumference ( P <0.001), mid arm muscular circumference ( P <0.001), triceps skinfold ( P =0.07) and subjective global assessment ( P <0.001). A third presented deficient/low handgrip strength. Alcohol consumption ( P =0.03) and malnutrition detected by BMI ( P =0.03), mid upper arm circumference ( P =0.001), triceps skinfold ( P =0.06), mid arm muscular circumference ( P =0.02) and subjective global assessment ( P <0.001) were associated with CLD severity. From 25 patients deceased during follow-up, 17 patients were severely malnourished according with triceps skinfold. Malnutrition defined by triceps skinfold predicted mortality ( P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Protein-calorie malnutrition is common in CLD patients and alcohol plays an important role. Triceps skinfold is the most efficient anthropometric parameter and is associated with mortality. Nutritional assessment should be considered mandatory in the routine care of CLD patients.

Concordance among methods of nutritional assessment in patients included on the waiting list for liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to determine the extent of malnutrition in patients waiting for a liver transplant. The agreement among the methods of nutritional assessment and their diagnostic validity were evaluated.

METHODS

Patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation (n = 110) were studied. The variables were: body mass index, analytical parameters, liver disease etiology, and complications. Liver dysfunction was evaluated using the Child-Pugh Scale. Nutritional state was studied using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT), the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE) criteria, the Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI-O), and the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). Agreement was determined using the Kappa index. Area under receiver operator characteristic curves (AUCs), the Youden index (J), and likelihood ratios were computed.

RESULTS

Malnutrition varied depending on the method of evaluation. The highest value was detected using the CONUT (90.9%) and the lowest using the SGA (50.9%). The pairwise agreement among the methods ranged from K = 0.041 to K = 0.826, with an overall agreement of each criteria with the remaining methods between K = 0.093 and K = 0.364. PNI-O was the method with the highest overall agreement. Taking this level of agreement into account, we chose the PNI-O as a benchmark method of comparison. The highest positive likelihood ratio for the diagnosis of malnutrition was obtained from the Nutritional Risk Index (13.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition prevalence is high and prevalence estimates vary according the method used, with low concordance among methods. PNI-O and NRI are the most consistent methods to identify malnutrition in these patients.

Nutritional evaluation in cirrhosis: Emphasis on the phase angle

Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) is a common condition in cirrhotic patients, leading to a worse prognosis, complications, poor quality of life and lower survival rates. Among ways of assessing nutritional status, there are anthropometric methods such as the evaluation of the triceps skinfold, the arm circumference, the arm muscle circumference and the body mass index, and non-anthropometric methods such as the subjective global assessment, the handgrip strength of non-dominant hand, and the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). PCM is frequently under-diagnosed in clinical settings in patients with cirrhosis due to the limitations of nutritional evaluation methods in this population. BIA is a useful method, but cannot be indicated in patients with abnormal body composition. In these situations, the phase angle (PA) has been used, and can become an important tool in assessing nutritional status in any situation. The PA is superior to anthropometric methods and might be considered as a nutritional indicator in cirrhosis. The early characterization of the nutritional status in patients with cirrhosis means an early nutritional intervention, with a positive impact on patients’ overall prognosis. Among the usually accepted methods for nutritional diagnosis, the PA provides information in a quick and objective manner.

Effect of diet based on the principles of Iranian traditional medicine on cirrhosis (a clinical trial)

OBJECTIVES

Cirrhosis is associated with morbidity and mortality worldwide. Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) focused on nutritional intervention in order to improve liver function. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a diet designed based on ITM and current dietary recommendations.

DESIGN

This controlled trial study was performed on 57 subjects with cirrhosis in 5 tertiary hospitals in Teharn, Iran.

SETTING

Subjects were included if they were diagnosed with class A or B cirrhosis between October 2013 and December 2014.

INTERVENTIONS

Subjects were randomly allocated into intervention (28 subjects) who received dietary and lifestyle recommendations based on ITM and controls (29 subjects) who received routine dietary and lifestyle recommendations for 3 months. Subjects were assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention for anthropometric measures, liver function tests and cirrhosis severity scoring.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), anthropometric measures, serum albumin, liver function tests, International Normalized Ratio and alkaline phosphatase as well as subjective findings.

RESULTS

Mean age of the subjects was 51.19±11.88years. Weight reduction was observed in 41 subjects (22 subjects in intervention and 19 in control group). Dietary intervention resulted in a significant decrease in alanine aminotransferase (AST) (p=0.04) and significant resolution of icterus in sclera (p=0.02) in weight loss group and increase serum albumin in weight gain group (p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

ITM recommendations could be beneficial for cirrhotic patients both for the purpose of weight reduction and weight gain.

Nutrition assessment and its effect on various clinical variables among patients undergoing liver transplant

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is highly prevalent in patients undergoing liver transplantation and has been associated to various clinical variables and outcome of the surgery.

METHODS

We recruited 54 adult patients undergoing living donor liver transplant (LT) as study sample. Nutrition assessment was performed by body mass index (BMI), BMI for ascites, albumin, subjective global assessment (SGA) and anthropometry [mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), mid arm muscle circumference (MAMC), and triceps skin-fold (TSF)], Hand Grip strength, and phase angle of the body. Prevalence and comparison of malnutrition was performed with various clinical variables: aetiology, Child Turcotte Pugh scores and model for end stage liver disease (ESLD) grades, degree of ascites, blood product usage, blood loss during the surgery, mortality, days [intensive care unit (ICU), Ventilator and Hospital], and Bio-impedance analysis [weight, fat mass, fat free mass (FFM), muscle mass and body fat%].

RESULTS

Assessment of nutrition status represents a major challenge because of complications like fluid retention, hypoalbuminemia and hypoproteinemia. Different nutrition assessment tools show great disparity in the level of malnutrition among ESLD patients. In the present study recipient nutrition status evaluation by different nutrition assessment tools used showed malnutrition ranging from 3.7% to 100%. BMI and anthropometric measurements showed lower prevalence of malnutrition than phase angle and SGA whereas hand grip strength showed 100% malnutrition. Agreement among nutrition assessment methods showed moderate agreement (κ=0.444) of SGA with phase angle of the body. Malnutrition by different assessment tools was significantly associated to various clinical variables except MELD and days (ICU, Ventilator and Hospital). SGA was significantly (P<0.05) associated to majority of the clinical variables like aetiology, child Turcotte Pugh grades, degree of ascites, blood product usage, blood loss during the surgery, BIA (fat mass, FFM, muscle mass and body fat%).

CONCLUSIONS

The different nutrition assessment tools showed great variability of results. SGA showed moderate agreement with phase angle of the body and was associated with various clinical and prognostic variables of liver transplantation.

Anthropometric Predictors of Bio-Impedance Analysis (BIA) Phase Angle in Healthy Adults

INTRODUCTION

Phase Angle (PhA) is a ratio of whole body reactance and resistance obtained from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). It indicates cellular health and integrity and is considered as prognostic tool in medical disorders. In spite of prognostic potentials of PhA, it has limited usefulness in clinical practice and in population studies because of non-availability of normal population reference limits for comparison. Moreover, it is influenced by various factors like age, sex, race and body composition (i.e. body fat, muscle mass, visceral fat, body cell mass, total body water, etc).

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of phase angle which will be useful in formulation of reference values for Indian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BIA was performed by Tanita Body Composition Analyser on healthy adults aged 17-24 years. The inbuilt software measured the phase angle by the formula: Phase angle (PhA) = Reactance (xc)/Resistance (R)* (180/π). Phase angle values were compared across categories of age, sex, weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), total fat, visceral fat and muscle mass.

RESULTS

Mean value of phase angle was found to be 5.65. Phase angle was significantly (p< 0.001) higher in male than in female. Phase angle was significantly predicted from height (p< 0.001), weight (p< 0.002), muscle mass (p< 0.002) and visceral fat (p< 0.02) in multiple regression models.

CONCLUSION

Phase angle differs across anthropometric and body composition categories. Thus height, weight and muscle mass should also be taken into consideration while deriving population specific reference limits of phase angle.

Nutritional assessment in cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the worst complications of liver disease and can be greatly influenced by nutritional status. Ammonia metabolism, inflammation and muscle wasting are relevant processes in HE pathophysiology. Malnutrition worsens the prognosis in HE, requiring early assessment of nutritional status of these patients. Body composition changes induced by liver disease and limitations superimposed by HE hamper the proper accomplishment of exams in this population, but evidence is growing that assessment of muscle mass and muscle function is mandatory due to the role of skeletal muscles in ammonia metabolism. In this review, we present the pathophysiological aspects involved in HE to support further discussion about advantages and drawbacks of some methods for evaluating the nutritional status of cirrhotic patients with HE, focusing on body composition.

Nutritional assessment methods for zinc supplementation in prepubertal non-zinc-deficient children

BACKGROUND

Zinc is an essential nutrient that is required for numerous metabolic functions, and zinc deficiency results in growth retardation, cell-mediated immune dysfunction, and cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated nutritional assessment methods for zinc supplementation in prepubertal non-zinc-deficient children.

DESIGN

We performed a randomised, controlled, triple-blind study. The children were divided into a control group (10% sorbitol, n=31) and an experimental group (10 mg Zn/day, n=31) for 3 months. Anthropometric and dietary assessments as well as bioelectrical measurements were performed in all children.

RESULTS

Our study showed (1) an increased body mass index for age and an increased phase angle in the experimental group; (2) a positive correlation between nutritional assessment parameters in both groups; (3) increased soft tissue, and mainly fat-free mass, in the body composition of the experimental group, as determined using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis; (4) increased consumption of all nutrients, including zinc, in the experimental group; and (5) an increased serum zinc concentration in both groups (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Given that a reference for body composition analysis does not exist for intervention studies, longitudinal studies are needed to investigate vector migration during zinc supplementation. These results reinforce the importance of employing multiple techniques to assess the nutritional status of populations.

Liver Cirrhosis: Evaluation, Nutritional Status, and Prognosis

The liver is the major organ for the metabolism of three major nutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is the major cause of chronic liver disease. Liver cirrhosis (LC) results from different mechanisms of liver injury that lead to necroinflammation and fibrosis. LC has been seen to be not a single disease entity but one that can be graded into distinct clinical stages related to clinical outcome. Several noninvasive methods have been developed for assessing liver fibrosis and these methods have been used for predicting prognosis in patients with LC. On the other hand, subjects with LC often have protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and poor physical activity. These conditions often result in sarcopenia, which is the loss of skeletal muscle volume and increased muscle weakness. Recent studies have demonstrated that PEM and sarcopenia are predictive factors for poorer survival in patients with LC. Based on these backgrounds, several methods for evaluating nutritional status in patients with chronic liver disease have been developed and they have been preferably used in the clinical field practice. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge in the field of LC from the viewpoints of diagnostic method, nutritional status, and clinical outcomes.

Sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis: the role of computed tomography scan for the assessment of muscle mass compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia evaluated by computed tomography (CT) scan at the lumbar site has been identified as a risk factor for morbidity and mortality in cirrhosis.

AIM

The aim of this study was to compare the measurement of muscle mass through CT scan, considered the gold standard, with other reliable techniques to evaluate the rate of agreement between different available methods for the assessment of muscle mass in cirrhosis. The correlation between measurements of muscle mass and of muscle strength was also investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Adult patients eligible for liver transplantation were studied. Lumbar skeletal muscle cross-sectional area was measured by CT and muscle depletion was defined using previously published cut-offs. Mid-arm muscle circumference was calculated following anthropometric measures. The Fat-Free Mass Index and the Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Index were calculated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Muscle strength was evaluated using the Hand Grip test.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients with cirrhosis were included. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 76% of the patients according to CT evaluation. A significant reduction in Fat-Free Mass Index and Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Index was observed in 42-52% of the patients, whereas 52% showed a mid-arm muscle circumference less than 10th percentile. Skeletal muscle mass evaluation through CT was only weakly correlated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry evaluation. No correlation was observed between CT measurement of muscle mass and Hand Grip test.

CONCLUSION

CT scan can identify the highest percentage of sarcopenia in cirrhosis and no other techniques are actually available as a replacement. Future efforts should focus on approaches for assessing both skeletal muscle mass and function to provide a better evaluation of sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients.