Comparison of nutritional status between patients with alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess and compare the nutritional status of alcoholic and non alcoholic cirrhotic patients.


METHODS
81 patients with liver cirrhosis--41 alcoholic (AC) & 40 non alcoholic (NAC), were selected. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements viz. skin fold thickness, arm and muscle circumferences and areas. Food intake was evaluated using 48 hour dietary recall. Creatinine Height Index and Lean Body Mass were calculated from 24 hour urinary creatinine excretion.


RESULTS
Mean values of Mid Arm Muscle Area, for both AC and NAC (2947+/-8.12 mm(2) v/s 3534+/-6.96 mm(2) respectively), were below the 5th percentile of Frisancho's cut off, with significant reduction in alcoholics (P = 0.00). Creatinine Height Index (CHI) and Lean Body Mass (LBM) were higher in patients without fluid retention as compared to those with fluid retention. Patients without Ascites showed a positive correlation between body weight and Lean Body Mass (r=0.471; rho=0.438; P=0.00).


CONCLUSIONS
Malnutrition is widely prevalent in cirrhotics, with greater impairment in alcoholics. A positive correlation could be elicited between Lean Body Mass & Actual Body Weight in patients without ascites. Creatinine Height Index and Lean Body Mass may be more reliable parameters for the assessment of nutritional status in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Panagaria
Namita
N
Department of Home Science, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India. namita_123@hotmail.com
Varma
Kanika
K
Nijhawan
Sandeep
S
Mathur
Amit
A
Rai
R R
RR
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D002149:Energy Intake; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status
D004044:Dietary Proteins