Nutritional assessment and factors affecting dietary intake in patients with cirrhosis: A single-center observational study.

OBJECTIVES

Malnutrition is predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. We investigated prevalence of malnutrition and factors affecting dietary intake in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

Single-center cross-sectional observational study. A total of 251 patients with cirrhosis underwent dietary and nutritional assessment by subjective global assessment (SGA) and anthropometric measurement (dry body mass index, midarm circumference, midarm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, handgrip strength). Dietary intake was assessed in terms of total calories and protein intake, percentage of recommended intake, and per kilogram body weight per day. Factors influencing dietary intake were also assessed.

RESULTS

Of 251 patients 199 (79%) were male and 52 (21%) were female (mean age, 51 ± 14 y, Child's A:B:C: 83:116:52). In SGA analysis 87 (35%) were well nourished (SGA-A), 106 (42%) were moderately nourished (SGA-B), and 58 (23%) were severely malnourished (SGA-C). Patients with Child's C score were severely malnourished compared with patients with Child's B and A scores. Midarm circumference, midarm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, and handgrip strength were significantly higher in SGA-A than SGA-B and SGA-C. Patients in SGA-A (1939 ± 479 kcal/d) consumed significantly higher calories than SGA-B (1494 ± 216 kcal/d) and SGA-C (1321 ± 213 kcal/d). Percentage of recommended calories intake (SGA-A [76%], SGA-B [61%], SGA-C [59%], P = 0.001) and calories/kg/d is also higher in SGA-A than SGA-B and SGA-C. The results with protein intake were similar (SGA-A [61 ± 14 gm/d], SGA-B [56 ± 7 gm/d], SGA-C [51 ± 9 gm/d], P = 0.001). Protein intake in g/kg/d is significantly lower in SGA-C (0.76 ± 0.22) than SGA-B (0.85 ± 0.2) and SGA-A (0.93 ± 0.2). A total of 61% patients were vegetarian, and 84% did not take evening snacks. Poor appetite (n = 68, 27%), early satiety (n = 75, 30%), abdominal fullness (n = 62, 25%), low-salt diet (n = 52, 21%), and social myth about diet 43(17%) were the common reasons for poor intake. Distension of abdomen, social myth about diet, and low sodium in diet were key factors affecting dietary intake in patients with cirrhosis and malnutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition seen in 65% of patients. Total calories and protein intake was significantly low compared with recommendation even in well-nourished patients. Distension of abdomen, social myth about diet, and low sodium in diet were key factors affecting dietary intake in patients with cirrhosis and malnutrition.