OBJECTIVES

Malnutrition is prevalent and negatively affects patients with cirrhosis, but a generally accepted consensus pertaining to its diagnosis is lacking. Recently, a framework called the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) has been proposed to diagnose malnutrition, but there is scant evidence regarding its validity. We aimed to investigate associations of malnutrition according to the GLIM criteria, as well as its individual indicator with in-hospital adverse outcomes.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational study of consecutively hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. The malnutrition diagnosis was built on a stepwise GLIM process with initial screening, followed by fulfillment of at least one phenotypic and one etiologic criterion. Patients were followed up for a combined endpoint of in-hospital mortality and prolonged length of stay (LOS). Covariates compromise malnutrition according to the GLIM criteria and its indicators in separation. Logistic regression analyses were implemented to determine predictive validity.

RESULTS

A total of 387 cirrhotic patients were assessed. Malnutrition was diagnosed in 28.7% of patients according to the GLIM criteria, and increased the risk of in-hospital mortality and prolonged LOS by 2.166 and 1.767 times, respectively, adjusting for age, sex, biochemical parameters, and clinical scores of disease severity. When analyzing separate criteria, all constituents were independently associated with in-hospital adverse outcomes, adjusting for model for end-stage liver disease sodium score.

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition according to the GLIM criteria was considerably prevalent among hospitalized patients with cirrhosis, and associated with approximately two times greater probability of in-hospital mortality and prolonged LOS. These diagnostic criteria may be implemented and disseminated during daily practice considering their predictive validity.