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Muscle Mass Via UltraSound in Cirrhosis (MMUSCLE)

Recruiting
Conditions
Cirrhosis
Sarcopenia
Malnutrition
Interventions
Other: ultrasound
Registration Number
NCT06345547
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Antwerp
Brief Summary

The goal of this observational cohort study is to learn about loss of muscle mass and muscle strength (sarcopenia) in patients with cirrhosis. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are:

* what is the prevalence and development of sarcopenia in cirrhosis?

* what is the role of malnutrition? Participants will

* undergo a muscle ultrasound of the lower and upper limb muscles

* handgrip strength will be measured

* malnutrition screening and assessment

* complete a questionnaire to assess quality of life

Detailed Description

In this study, the investigators will assess the prevalence and development of sarcopenia in the large in- and outpatient population with cirrhosis (n= 1346) of the University Hospital of Antwerp, using ultrasound assessment of muscle mass and quality in the lower as well as the upper limb muscles. Handgrip strength will be tested for muscle functional status. Findings will be correlated with clinical outcome (MELD, survival, decompensating events). The etiology of the cirrhosis and its underlying activity will be taken into account as dependent variables, e.g. whether there is a difference between compensated vs. decompensated cirrhosis. The investigators will screen for malnutrition using the RFH-NPT and compare with the GLIM criteria. The effect of sarcopenia on the quality of life will be evaluated using the validated "SarQoL®" (Sarcopenia Quality of Life) questionnaire.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • diagnosis of cirrhosis and follow-up in the University Hospital of Antwerp
Exclusion Criteria
  • known patient will against participation in the study or against the measures applied in the study
  • a decision made prior to inclusion to stop further treatment of the patient within the next 24 hours
  • no complete remission of malignancy including hepatocellular carcinoma within the past 12 months

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Child BultrasoundChild B patients have a moderately impaired hepatic function.
Child CultrasoundPatients with Child C have an advanced hepatic dysfunction, within this group we will also look at patients with acute on chronic liver failure.(ACLF)
Child AultrasoundThe impact of sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis may also be influenced by sex, severity of hepatic dysfunction, and etiology of cirrhosis. For this reason we aim for an homogeneous population, with a balanced distribution over the Child Pugh classification with a homogeneous population of at least 50%. Child A patients still have a good hepatic function.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Development of sarcopenia: changes in muscle mass2 years

Changes in muscle mass by ultrasound muscle parameters from baseline up to 2 years follow-up. We will evaluate the muscle parameters that define muscle mass: muscle thickness expressed in cm, cross sectional area in squared cm, pennation angle in degrees and echo intensity expressed in arbitrary units (A.U.)

Prevalence of sarcopenia: muscle strengthbaseline

Number of patients with prevalent sarcopenia. This will be assessed by handgrip strength (expressed in kg).

Sarcopenia has been defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia as "a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, disability, and mortality," combining both muscle mass and muscle strength or muscle performance in its definition.

As the definition contains both muscle mass and muscle strength, both factors have to be evaluated. This second outcome measure defines muscle strength.

Development of sarcopenia: changes in muscle quality2 years

Changes in muscle mass by ultrasound muscle parameters from baseline up to 2 years follow-up. We will evaluate the muscle parameters that define quality of muscle: pennation angle in degrees and echo intensity expressed in arbitrary units (A.U.)

Development of sarcopenia: changes in muscle strength2 years

This will be assessed by handgrip strength (expressed in kg). Sarcopenia has been defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia as "a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, disability, and mortality," combining both muscle mass and muscle strength or muscle performance in its definition.

As the definition contains both muscle mass and muscle strength, both factors have to be evaluated.

Prevalence of sarcopenia: muscle massbaseline

Number of patients with prevalent sarcopenia. This will be assessed by skeletal muscle ultrasound (muscle thickness expressed in cm).

Sarcopenia has been defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia as "a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, disability, and mortality," combining both muscle mass and muscle strength or muscle performance in its definition. This first outcome measure defines muscle mass.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Decompensation events: MELD score • MELD evolution2 years

clinical evolution of cirrhosis: MELD (Model of Endstage Liver Disease) score in points (range 7-40), with a higher score defining a worse state.

Decompensation events: transplantation • MELD evolution2 years

clinical evolution of cirrhosis: Need for transplantation/transplant outcome (Y/N)

Malnutrition2 years

The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism guidelines recommend the Royal Free Hospital-Nutritional Prioritizing Tool (RFH-NPT) to identify malnutrition risk in patients with liver disease. The RFH-NPT categorises nutritional risk as low (0 points), medium (1 points) and high (2-7 points).

The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) has established a global consensus on the criteria for diagnosing malnutrition in adults in hospital settings. It is a two-step approach for the malnutrition diagnosis, i.e., first screening to identify "at risk" status by the use of any validated screening tool, and second, assessment for diagnosis and grading the severity of malnutrition; mild - moderate - severe.

Quality of life in cirrhosis2 years

The effect of sarcopenia on the quality of life will be evaluated using the validated SarQoL® questionnaire.

Decompensation events: mortality • MELD evolution2 years

clinical evolution of cirrhosis: Mortality 1 year after enrolment (Y/N)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital Antwerp

🇧🇪

Edegem, Antwerpen, Belgium

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