Malnutrition and sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients with and without abdominal hernia

Author(s)

Carla Freire de Castro Lima

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2021-12-01

Examining board members

Luiz Ubirajara Sennes; Michel Burihan Cahali; Dalva Lucia Rollemberg Poyares

• Advisor: Luiz Ubirajara Sennes; Vsevolod Yurievich Polotsky

Abstract

Hepatic cirrhosis is a major global health condition and persists among the ten leading causes of death in developed countries, with 38,170 deaths attributable to cirrhosis in the United States in 2014. A Brazilian study diagnosed malnutrition in 75% of patients with advanced liver disease, with a prevalence of 46% among patients classified as Child-Pugh A, 84% in the Child-Pugh B group and 95% in the Child-Pugh C group. Poor nutritional status in CH is a known factor associated with worse prognosis and higher incidence of complications. The concept of sarcopenia differs from that of malnutrition, although there is considerable overlap between the two. The prevalence of sarcopenia increases with age and approaches 5-13% during the sixth and seventh decade of life. This syndrome is associated with an increased risk of comorbidities, immobility, worsening of quality of life and mortality. Patients with HC and ascites may present peritoneal distension, and often develop hernias in weaker areas of the abdominal wall. Due to the frequent concomitant presence of sarcopenia, malnutrition and abdominal hernias in cirrhotic patients, the study evaluated the frequency of these conditions in a sample of outpatients and whether there is a statistically significant relationship between nutritional status and hernia. The study found a frequency of 19% sarcopenia and 46% of malnutrition, without showing a significant statistical relationship between these clinical conditions and abdominal hernia (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/08758-3 - Comparative analysis of subcompartimentalization of hypoglossal nucleus motor neurons mice and humans
• Grantee: Carla Freire de Castro Lima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)