P- 103 PREVALENCE OF SARCOPENIA IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS IN AN OUTPATIENT SERVICE IN BRAZIL

Introduction and Objectives

Sarcopenia is defined by progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass and strength, a phenomenon observed in many patients affected by chronic illnesses. It reflects proteic-energetic malnutrition due to a metabolic imbalance, and it is associated with worse prognostics and higher mortality rates in post-hepatic transplant patients. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological distribution of sarcopenia and its association with liver function and complications of hepatic disease in cirrhotic patients in an outpatient service in Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Vitória Hospital -ES.

Materials and Methods

Transversal, epidemiologic and unicentric study. We applied a questionnaire and measured hand grip strength using a dynamometer, taking three measures of hand grip maximum strength for 3 seconds each.

Results

The study included 64 cirrhotic patients, with a mean age of 58 years and alcohol as the most present etiology. Sarcopenia was defined as present according to two different cut-off values: using cut-off value 1, sarcopenia was identified in 33 patients (51,6%); by cut-off value 2, 23 (35,9%) were sarcopenic. The study showed a significant association between the female sex and sarcopenia in both cut-off values. Furthermore, there was a relevant increase in sarcopenia by cut-off value 2 in patients with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores greater or equal to 15. There was no association of sarcopenia with the event of ascites and/or hepatic encephalopathy.

Conclusions

Within the data obtained, there was a variation of sarcopenia of 35-52% regarding hand grip values, which was associated with elevated MELD scores, demonstrating a possible connection between sarcopenia and worse outcomes. Therefore, the presence of sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients might be related to prognostic factors and should be assessed in the clinical management of these patients.