Evaluation of nutritional status in patients with liver cirrhosis.
BACKGROUND
Malnutrition is a frequently reported complication in patients with liver cirrhosis. It has a high clinical and economic impact reflected by an increased morbidity and prolonged hospital stay.


OBJECTIVE
This preliminary prospective study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized cirrhotic patients and to investigate whether biological and anthropometric parameters are a valuable tool for identifying malnutrition in these patients.


METHODS
The nutritional status of 44 consecutive cirrhotic patients (21 men, 23 women) was assessed according to the anthropometric measurements and biochemical analysis. The diagnosis of malnutrition was based on diminished values of Mid arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and/or Triceps skinfold thikness (TST) below the 5th percentile or less than 60%.


RESULTS
The aetiology of cirrhosis was viral hepatitis in 29 patients (66%). Cirrhosis was classified Child Pugh A, B or C in respectively 9, 26 and 9 patients; 37 patients (84%) have mild or tense ascite. In this study, malnutrition was found in 35 patients (79.5%), whereas 9 patients has a good nutritional status. TST and MAMC less than 60% was found in respectively 72% and 25% of patients. No significant statistical difference in epidemiological characteristics was found between malnourished and well-nourished patients. TST and MAMC decreased significantly according to the Child score (p = 0.014 and 0.032 respectively; a positive correlation was found between these two parameters and the severity of cirrhosis.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the high prevalence of denutrition was associated with the severity of cirrhosis. Anthropometric parameters are valuable tools for malnutrition diagnosis.
Houissa
Fatma
F
Department of gastroenterology and hepatology, Charles Nicolle hospital, Tunis.
Salem
Mohamed
M
Debbeche
Radhouane
R
Mouelhi
Leila
L
Bouzaidi
Slim
S
Ben Rejeb
Majd
M
Mekki
Haiffa
H
Moussa
Amel
A
Said
Yosra
Y
Trabelsi
Senda
S
Najjar
Taoufik
T
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies