Malnutrition in cirrhotic patients: prevalence and characteristics

A. Ait Errami *, Z. Samlani , O. Oubaha , K. Krati
Page No. 65-68

Dernutrition is common in cirrhotic patients. This is an important prognostic factor. We report
preliminary results of a prospective study in the department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, University
Hospital of Marrakech from February to December 2015, 48 cases colligeant liver cirrhosis. The
purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized cirrhotic
patients in our training and clarify the epidemiological characteristics and biological clincomalnourished
cirrhotics our assessment of nutritional status was performed based on
anthropometric measurements and data from laboratory tests. The diagnosis of malnutrition was
retained before a weight loss greater than 10% or a decrease in the arm circumference (CB) or BMI
below standard values. The etiology of cirrhosis was viral in 20 patients (%), it was classified as
Child-Pugh A, B and C respectively at 12, 22 and 14 patients. Malnutrition was found in 30 patients
(62.5%). the decrease in arm circumference was found in 54.16% of malnourished patients. By
cons, there was no significant difference in the values of biomarkers between patients malnourished
and not malnourished. A positive correlation was found between the presence and severity of
undernutrition and severity of cirrhosis. Before these results we conclude that malnutrition is
common in patients with cirrhosis in our context, that anthropometric measurements are reliable for
the diagnosis of malnutrition in cirrhosis and the prevention of malnutrition and nutritional support
should occupy more space in the care of our patients with cirrhosis.
Key-word : undernutrition - cirrhosis, anthropometric measurements.