Assessment of Nutritional Status of patients with Liver Cirrhosis at Minia University Hospital

Abstract

There is limited data on the nutritional status of Egyptians with various etiology of cirrhosis, this study aimed to, assess the nutritional status for patients with liver cirrhosis at Minia University Hospital. Patient and Methods: 100 adult patients with liver cirrhosis (63 male and 37 female with mean age (45.58, 45.11 years respectively) and 20 patients as controls with mean age 42.20 years, the study was conducted at the General Medical Department and outpatient clinic in Minia University Hospital. Assessment of nutritional status was done using (1) anthropometric measurements as mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, triceps skin fold thickness, (2) Biochemical measurements as serum albssessmentmin, hemoglobin, WBCs, total protein, and INR, also; Mini-Assessment sheet was used. Results: the cause of liver cirrhosis among study group was 77% HCV and 22% HBV and 1%Mixed HBV and HCV infection, they were Child Pugh Class B and C (66%, 34% respectively). The most common nutritional risk factors for patients are gastrointestinal problems such as dry mouth, taste alteration, anorexia, nausea, and flatulence Malnutrition was prevalent in 85% of patients in study group in comparison with control group none of them have malnutrition. There is a high statistical significant difference found between liver cirrhosis group and control group in all anthropometric measurements. Conclusion: the majority of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were malnourished regardless the etiology of liver cirrhosis. Identifying the patients that are approaching the state of malnutrition by simple and easily applied methods is necessary in order to provide nutritional support. Follow up and correction of the nutrient deficit is very important and can improve the clinical outcome.