Nutritional Assessment of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis by Nutrition Screening Tool and Anthropometry at a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

IntroductionMalnutrition is one of the most common complications of liver cirrhosis. Yet, little attention is paid in evaluatingnutrition in this group of patients. This study aims to assess malnutrition among cirrhotic patients using a nutritionscreening tool and anthropometry.MethodsThis was a prospective, observational study of admitted patients with liver cirrhosis. In the study duration of 3months, 50 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included. Nutritional assessment was performed usingthe Royal Free Hospital Nutritional Prioritizing Tool (RFH-NPT), BMI and standard anthropometry including TSF,MUAC and MAMC.ResultsThe mean age was 51.56 ± 11.50 with a Male to Female ratio of 3:2. Chronic alcohol consumption (72%) wasthe most common etiology while management of tense ascites (40%) was the most common reason for hospitaladmission. 58% had Child Pugh Class C cirrhosis while the remaining 42% were Class B. The average MELD Nascore was 19.64 ± 6. Significant differences in anthropometric measurements including BMI, MUAC, TSF andMAMC were found between Child B and C cirrhosis. Similarly, those patients who had low, moderate and highrisk of malnutrition by the RFH-NPT had significant differences in anthropometric measurements between them.ConclusionA significant number of patients had moderate to severe risk of malnutrition that correlated well withanthropometric measurements. The degree of malnutrition is parallel with the severity of liver disease amongthese patients. Both the RFH-NPT and anthropometry are relatively easy to perform and effective. Hence, theycan be used as a practical means for identifying malnutrition among cirrhotic patients in routine clinical practice.KeywordsAnthropometry, liver cirrhosis, malnutrition