Clinical relevance of sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis

The most commonly recognized complications in cirrhotic patients include ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, susceptibility for infections, kidney dysfunction, and hepatocellular carcinoma; however, severe muscle wasting or sarcopenia are the most common and frequently unseen complications which negatively impact survival, quality of life, and response to stressor, such as infections and surgeries. At present, D’Amico stage classification, Child-Pugh, and MELD scores constitute the best tools to predict mortality in patients with cirrhosis; however, one of their main limitations is the lack of assessing the nutritional and functional status. Currently, numerous methods are available to evaluate the nutrition status of the cirrhotic patient; nevertheless, most of these techniques have limitations primarily because lack of objectivity, reproducibility, and prognosis discrimination. In this regard, an objective and reproducible technique, such as muscle mass quantification with cross-sectional imaging studies (computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging) constitute an attractive index of nutritional status in cirrhosis. Sarcopenia is part of the frailty complex present in cirrhotic patients, resulting from cumulative declines across multiple physiologic systems and characterized by impaired functional capacity, decreased reserve, resistance to stressors, and predisposition to poor outcomes. In this review, we discuss the current accepted and new methods to evaluate prognosis in cirrhosis. Also, we analyze the current knowledge regarding incidence and clinical impact of malnutrition and sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis and their impact after liver transplantation. Finally, we discuss existing and potential novel therapeutic approaches for malnutrition in cirrhosis, emphasizing the recognition of sarcopenia in an effort to reduced morbidity related and improved survival in cirrhosis.     

Comparative analysis of the sarcopenia and HALP score on postoperative outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients after pancreatoduodenectomy

BackgroundSarcopenia and HALP (Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet) scores are factors commonly associated with postoperative outcomes used in cancer patients. This study aims to evaluate the effect of these two prognostic factors on postoperative outcomes in operated pancreatic cancer patients and their correlation with each other.MethodsThe study is a single-center, retrospective study conducted with 179 patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) between January 2012 and January 2022. The Psoas muscular index (PMI) and HALP scores of the patients were calculated. Cut-off values were determined in order to determine the nutritional status of the patients and to group them. The cut-off value of the HALP score was determined according to survival status. In addition, the clinical data and pathological findings of tumors were collected. These two parameters were evaluated in terms of length of hospital stay, postoperative complication rates, fistula development, and overall survival, and their correlations with each other were examined.ResultsOf the patients, 74 (41.3%) were female, and 105 (58.7%) were male. According to PMI cut-off values, 83 (46.4%) patients were in the sarcopenia group. According to the HALP score cut-off values, 77 (43.1%) patients were in the low HALP group. Sarcopenia and Low HALP group had a higher risk of death (respectively Hazard ratio:5.67, CI:3.58–8.98, Hazard ratio:5.95, CI: 3.72–9.52) (p < 0.001). There was a moderate correlation between PMI and HALP score (rs = 0.34, p = 0.01). The correlation in these values was higher in the female gender.ConclusionsIn line with the data obtained from our study, HALP score and sarcopenia are among the important parameters used to evaluate postoperative complications and provide information about survival. Patients with a low HALP score and sarcopenic have an increased likelihood of developing postoperative complications and a lower survival.     

肝病肌肉减少症发病机制研究进展

目的 肌肉减少症是指全身性肌肉质量降低和力量减退,机体生理功能障碍,并导致生活质量下降,甚至死亡的综合征,简称肌少症.肌少症可影响高达70％晚期肝病患者,与不良结局和预后相关.但目前大多数治疗以营养、运动等干预为主,尚缺乏疗效肯定的针对发病机制的治疗药物.本文总结了慢性肝病肌肉减少症的发病机制,以便确定治疗干预的靶点,...     

肝硬化合并肌肉减少症的危险因素及其对临床结局的影响

目的研究肌肉减少症在肝硬化患者中的发生情况,探讨其危险因素及其对临床结局的影响。方法收集肝硬化住院患者199例,进行营养风险筛查、人体测量、血生物化学检查,根据体成分分析测得的四肢骨骼肌含量计算骨骼肌质量指数(ASMI),将患者分为肌肉减少症组和无肌肉减少症组,比较两组相关指标,筛选影响肌肉减少症发生的因素;随访48个月,比较两组生存、并发症发生情况。据资料不同分别采用t检验、χ2检验、Logistic回归分析进行统计学分析。结果肌肉减少症在肝硬化中的发生率为36.7%,在并发肝性脑病患者中最为多见(62.5%),其次是并发腹/胸水患者(37.6%)。有营养风险者肌肉减少症发生率明显高于无营养风险者(P<0.05),即使无营养风险者也有14.8%合并肌肉减少症。肌肉减少症组体质量指数(BMI)、上臂肌围、身体细胞量低于无肌肉减少症组(P<0.05),浮肿指数(ECW/TBW)高于后者(P<0.05)。多因素分析结果显示,年龄、性别、BMI、并发症肝性脑病是肝硬化合并肌肉减少症的主要影响因素(P<0.05)。随访期间肌肉减少症组病死率高于无肌肉减少症者(P<0.05),反复腹/胸水、肝性脑病、感染的发生率亦明显升高(P<0.05)。结论肌肉减少症是肝硬化患者营养不良的表现之一,使患者病死率、发生其他并发症的风险升高,对临床结局产生不良影响。老年、男性患者、BMI越低、并发肝性脑病,肌肉减少症发生风险越高。     

Impact of sarcopenia on mortality in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis

<正>Objective To investigate the impact of sarcopenia on mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD)patients.Methods It was a retrospective cohort study.MHD patients admitted to the blood purification center ofGuangzhou Red Cross Hospital in March 2021 were recruited.Demographic data and laboratory indicators,     

肝硬化肌少症的发病机制与诊疗现状

肌少症是肝硬化患者常见的并发症,发病率高达40%～70%,增加肝硬化患者并发症的发生,严重影响患者的生活质量和生存期。肝硬化肌少症发病机制复杂,临床表现易被忽略,诊断标准尚未达成共识,针对性治疗药物较少,亟待临床医生高度重视,并加强其发病机制的研究和治疗药物的研发。     

肝硬化患者营养不良、肌肉减少症及骨质疏松的防治

营养不良、肌肉减少症(肌少症)及骨质疏松是肝硬化患者常见的营养相关并发症,肌少症是营养不良的重要表现,而营养不良、肌少症又是骨质疏松发生的危险因素,三者相互关系密切,且都对肝硬化患者的临床结局和预后产生不良影响,故要及早发现,积极防治。营养物质摄入不足、代谢紊乱、激素水平异常、身体活动缺乏等促使肝硬化患者易出现营养不良、肌少症及骨质疏松。此外,肝病治疗常用药物如糖皮质激素、某些抗病毒药物等可能影响骨代谢,需引起临床关注。合理的营养干预、适当的运动和基础疾病的治疗是防治营养不良、肌少症及骨质疏松的基础。一些针对性治疗药物可有助于改善患者的上述营养相关并发症,但仍需进一步研究证实。     

The epidemiology of sarcopenia

The term sarcopenia was coined in 1989 and refers to the age-related loss in skeletal muscle mass. Operational definitions of sarcopenia have been used in research studies to identify older persons with healthy muscle mass values (normal) and older adults with unacceptably low muscle mass values (sarcopenic). Despite the enormous research on sarcopenia that has been completed in the past 20 years, sarcopenia currently receives little attention in the clinical setting. To address this issue, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People recently developed a consensus definition of sarcopenia. The availability of a consensus definition may assist with the integration of sarcopenia into mainstream geriatric assessment.     

Recipient characteristics and morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation

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Impact of body composition on survival and morbidity after liver resection in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common innate liver tumor. Due to improved surgical techniques, even extended resections are feasible, and more patients can be treated with curative intent. As the liver is the central metabolic organ, preoperative metabolic assessment is crucial for risk stratification. Sarcopenia, obesity and sarcopenic obesity characterize body composition and metabolic status. Here we present the impact of body composition on survival after liver resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Branched chain amino acids in hepatic encephalopathy and sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis: Evidence and uncertainties

Liver cirrhosis is commonly associated with nutritional alterations,reported in 20% of patients with compensated disease and over 60% of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Nutritional disturbances are associated with a worse prognosis and increased risk of complication. Serum levels of branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs) are decreased in patients with liver cirrhosis. The imbalance of amino acids levels has been suggested to be associated with the development of complications,such as hepatic e...     

Sarcopenia and survival in patients undergoing pancreatic resection

BackgroundRecent studies have suggested that lean core muscle area may predict outcomes from major abdominal surgeries. Pancreatic resections have been independently analyzed less frequently.MethodsPancreatic resections from 2005 to 2012 were reviewed. Sarcopenia was defined as the lowest tertile for lean psoas muscle area (LPMA). Preoperative risk factors, including comorbidities, albumin, weight loss, age and gender, were analyzed with a primary endpoint of overall survival. Secondary endpoints included complications, discharge destination and readmission.ResultsThe study sample of 270 patients had complications in 42% of patients, with 26% developing serious complication. The majority (80%) were discharged home, and 1.9% died in the peri-operative period. The mean length of follow up was 31.2 months (range 0–94), and 37% required at least one readmission. LPMA was predictive of discharge destination for females (p = 0.038). Sarcopenia was predictive of readmission in males, compared to subjects in the second LPMA tertile (HR 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–0.9). In all male subjects, including a subset with adenocarcinoma, patients with sarcopenia were more likely to die than males in the highest LPMA tertile (HR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.4–4.8 and HR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2–4.9, respectively). In all patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, transfusion (HR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.4) and positive margins (HR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2–3.3) were the only factors predictive of overall survival.ConclusionsSarcopenia appears to be a predictor of overall survival in male patients undergoing pancreatic resections, but not specifically for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. As prospective data in future studies are identified, sarcopenia may become a useful tool in predicting outcomes.     

丙型肝炎患者肝移植后复发的影响因素及其治疗

丙型肝炎一旦出现失代偿期肝硬化就有肝移植的指征,然而肝移植术后丙型肝炎复发一直是难以解决的问题,且复发率较高.