Metabolic and Nutritional Assessment in Patients on the Waiting List for Liver Transplantation

This cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out at the Alfa Institute of Gastroenterology, Hospital of Clinics, Universidade Federal of Minas Gerais (UFMG). The research protocol was approved by the UFMG Ethics Committee. Patients with indication for liver transplantation, aged over 20 years who regularly attended the Liver Outpatient Transplant Clinic were included after having agreed and signed the informed consent form. The presence of endocrine abnormalities (hyper/hypothyroidism) and patients on the waiting list for a double or re-transplant were excluding conditions. The REE and nutritional status assessment were performed by the same trained investigator (LGF) in order to reduce errors.

Resting Energy Expenditure - REE was measured by indirect calorimetry using a gas analyzer K4b2 (Cosmed, Rome, Italy). The test was performed in a silent, temperature-controlled room (22-24oC) in the morning, between 08:00am and 09:30am. The patients fasted for 12 hours, and remained on the lying position for about 20 minutes before the beginning of the test. The device was calibrated before each exam. The volume of inspired oxygen (VO2) and exhaled carbon dioxide (VCO2) was collected through a turbine and a sample line, adapted to the face mask, applied to the patient and, connected to the unit. The collection of gases occurred for 25 minutes, and the first 5 minutes were discarded. The mean VO2 and VCO2 per minute were used to calculate the REE according to the Weir formula. The obtained data were multiplied by 1,440 to obtain the 24-hour REE. Therefore, the REE was divided by kilograms of fat free mass - FFM (REE/FFM). Predicted REE was calculated from the Harris and Benedict formula (REEHB). In patients with fluid retention (clinical evidence of ascites and/or limb edema) dry weight was calculated by deducting an estimated weight for ascites and/or limb edema. Hypermetabolic patients were identified if the ratio REE:REEHB was > 120% and hypometabolic patients were classified according to the ratio REE:REEHB < 80%. The non-protein respiratory quotient (RQ) was calculated by the formula VCO2/VO2. Oxidation rates of carbohydrate and fat were expressed as percentages of total generated energy.

Nutritional Assessment - Nutritional status was provided by the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), anthropometric measurements, handgrip strength, bioimpedance and energy balance (EB) analyses. The SGA adapted for patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation is based on clinical history and physical examination, as well as the presence of existing conditions such as encephalopathy, chronic or recurrent infection, varicose veins and renal function. Patients were classified as nourished and those classified as suspected or moderately malnourished and severely malnourished were grouped together to form the malnourished group.

Anthropometric evaluation was comprised of weight, height, body mass index (BMI), triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (TSF and SSF respectively, measured with the Lange Skinfold Caliper - Cambridge Scientific Industries Inc., Cambridge, MD, USA), midarm circumference (MAC, measured with inextensible tape), arm muscle area (AMA) and arm fat area (AFA). To minimize practical variability, the average of three consecutive measurements was recorded. Values of TSF, SSF, MAC, AMA and AFA below the 5th percentile and BMI below 18.5kg/m2 (or 22.0kg/m2 for elderly) were considered as malnutrition.

Handgrip strength (HS) was assessed with the Jamar Handgrip Dynamometer (Preston, Jackson, MI, USA) using the non-dominant arm, and the mean of three measurements was determined. Malnutrition was defined as values of HS below the 5th percentile.