Assessing current nutritional status of patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis in the compensated stage.
OBJECTIVE
Nutritional states of Japanese patients with liver cirrhosis have recently shown great diversity, some show protein energy malnutrition and others excessive nutrition and obesity. For there to be adequate guidance regarding dietary treatment, it is important that a patient's current nutritional state be clarified.


METHODS
We assessed nutritive intake in Japanese cirrhotic patients and determined their nutritional problems. Subjects were non-hospitalized patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis in the compensated stage (n=47), chronic hepatitis C (n=46) or healthy volunteers (n=32). A brief self-administered diet history questionnaire was conducted with assistance from a registered dietitian.


RESULTS
We categorized patients with cirrhosis according to daily intake of energy and protein; 10.6% had an energy and protein intake within a normal range, 72.4% showed excessive intake, and 17.0% showed insufficient intake of energy or protein. In cirrhotic patients with diabetic complications, the intake levels of energy, proteins, fat and carbohydrates were significantly higher than in patients without diabetes. Moreover, cirrhotic patients had significantly higher intake levels of energy, protein and fat than did chronic hepatitis C patients and healthy individuals. In patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis, insufficient intake of energy and protein was shown in some, while many, especially those with diabetes, showed excessive intake.


CONCLUSIONS
For nutritive management of cirrhotic patients, the intake of various nutrients should be appropriately assessed and effective nutritional education systems established.
Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Welfare Sciences, Nishikyushu University, Kanzaki, Japan.
Kenichiro
K
Yasutake
Machiko
M
Bekki
Masako
M
Ichinose
Michiko
M
Ikemoto
Tatsuya
T
Fujino
Tomoki
T
Ryu
Yoshiyuki
Y
Wada
Yuko
Y
Takami
Hideki
H
Saitsu
Motoyuki
M
Kohjima
Kunitaka
K
Fukuizumi
Manabu
M
Nakashima
Makoto
M
Nakamuta
Munechika
M
Enjoji
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D044343:Overnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index