Title : Prevalence of osteosarcopenia and Liver Frailty Index (LFI) in patients with cirrhosis
Abstract:
Introduction: Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) can have a significant impact on the nutritional status of patients. Malnutrition is an under-recognized condition in patients with cirrhosis. Malnutrition increases the incidence and severity of decompensation, increase the risk of infections, and increases mortality.
Objectives: The present study aimed to assess osteosarcopenia and frailty in patients with cirrhosis.
Methods:Total 151 patients have been enrolled during the months of November 2022 to December 2023 at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital Clifton Campus, Karachi. This prospective cross-sectional study included cases of cirrhosis, aged between 18 to 85 years. Anthropometric measurements were performed. Sarcopenia was assessed by hand-grip strength using a hand-held Dynamometer. Bone mineral density was measured with the help of an office-based DEXA scan (Osteosys) and ultrasound of Tibialis anterior muscle. Liver Frailty Index (LFI) is assessed by performance-based tests.
Results: The total number of patients included in this study were 151, male 98 (69.5%) with mean age 51.8 ± 13.17. The prevalence of presarcopenia 66.9% and sarcopenia was 29.8%. The prevalence of osteopenia was 49.7 % and osteoporosis 15.9%. The patients who had osteopenia and osteoporosis were associated with high liver frailty index (p-value <0.01). Most of patients with Osteosarcopenia belonged to Child Pugh score C (p-value<0.001).
Conclusions:There is a high prevalence of pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, osteopenia, and osteoporosis, and high frailty in our patients with cirrhosis. Early detection and timely intervention of these conditions are important to reduce the associated consequences. All patients with cirrhosis should be assessed for Osteosarcopenia and frailty both at baseline and longitudinally.
