Prevalence and factors associated with Sarcopenia in Liver Cirrhosis – A cross-sectional study

Sarcopeniais defined as poor muscle health, in terms of mass as well as function. It is one of the common complications of liver cirrhosis however frequently goesunrecognized, despite it negatively impacting survival, quality of life, andprognosis post liver transplant. There isevidence to show that skeletal muscle abnormalities are related to poor outcomein cirrhosis as well as after liver transplantation. Several establishedprognostic models of cirrhosis such as Child–Pugh and MELD scores do notinclude objective nutritional assessment. There have been no studies measuringthe prevalence of Sarcopenia in coastal Karnataka, and hence this study aims toascertain the prevalence and also to test for predictors of Sarcopenia, so asto guide future studies involving intervention in the form nutritional build-upbefore undergoing liver transplantation.