BACKGROUND
Although the prognostic relevance of sarcopenia has been increasingly recognised in the context of liver disease, there is a paucity of data evaluating body composition in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Beyond virus-related factors, nutritional and metabolic aspects can be associated with skeletal muscle abnormalities in these patients and should not be disregarded.
AIM
To evaluate the association between components of sarcopenia and demographic, clinical, lifestyle, nutritional, and biochemical variables in CHB patients.
METHODS
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess muscle mass by quantifying appendicular lean mass (ALM) adjusted for body mass index (ALM
BMI
). Muscle function was evaluated by hand grip strength (HGS) and the timed up and go test. Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) was defined according to the criteria proposed by an international expert panel. A body shape index and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to assess central obesity and physical activity level, respectively.
RESULTS
This cross-sectional study included 105 CHB outpatients followed at the tertiary care ambulatory centre (mean age, 48.5 ± 12.0 years; 58.1% males; 76.2% without cirrhosis; 23.8% with compensated cirrhosis). The DXA-derived fat mass percentage was inversely correlated with the ALM
BMI
(
r
= - 0.87) and HGS (
r
= - 0.63). In the multivariable analysis, MAFLD, sedentarism and central obesity were positively and independently associated with low ALM
BMI
. MAFLD and central obesity were independently associated with low HGS.
CONCLUSION
MAFLD and central obesity were associated with low muscle mass and strength in patients with chronic hepatitis B, independent of the liver disease stage.
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