title: Maximum oxygen consumption predicts mortality in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Liver diseases are responsible for metabolic disturbances and the loss of muscle mass and function. This study aims to correlate maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) with the Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) severity score and associate VO2max with mortality in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 27 patients who had a diagnosis of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. All subjects were followed for 3 years and performed an exercise test to determine VO2max.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 18 men and 9 women. We observed a strong inverse correlation between VO2max and MELD (r=-0.91, p<0.001). In a survival analysis, individuals who had a VO2max less than 14mL/kg showed 60% mortality when compared with those who had a VO2max greater than 14mL/kg (p<0.0001; OR: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.44-5.25).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VO2max is directly associated with the survival of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and demonstrates a strong inverse correlation with the MELD severity score.
authors: Lucas Homercher
authors: LH
authors: Galant
authors: Luiz Alberto
authors: LA
authors: Forgiarini Junior
authors: Alexandre Simões
authors: AS
authors: Dias
authors: Cláudio Augusto
authors: CA
authors: Marroni
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate