[Nutritional evaluation of the cirrhotic patient: an objective, subjective or multicompartmental approach?].
BACKGROUND
Malnutrition due to liver disease is common and its assessment is difficult. The parameters of nutritional evaluation often used in clinical practice have limited use in cirrhotic patients. Many of the clinical signs of malnutrition are the result of the underlying hepatic disease which tends to confound and alter the nutritional diagnosis.


OBJECTIVE
To present a brief review of the different methods of nutritional evaluation together with their limitations and uses in cirrhotic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The multicompartmental approach for four compartments was shown to be considerably sensitive in the detection of malnutrition. However the ample use of this method is impaired due to technical difficulties and high costs. The handgrip strength appears to be a simple, cheap and effective alternative to detected malnutrition and risk of malnutrition in these patients. Is the most sensitive method and is able to predict a significant incidence of major complications in undernourished cirrhotic patients.
Ritter
Luciana
L
luciana_ritter@yahoo.com.br
Gazzola
Jussara
J
D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity