PD372 - NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND SARCOPENIA IN CIRRHOSIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

PD372

NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND SARCOPENIA IN CIRRHOSIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Z. M. Çelik^1,*, E. Akbaş¹, S. Gezer¹, G. Sabuncular¹, C. Ö. Demirtaş^2,3,4, J. Hüseynov², M. Karagüven², S. Aktaç¹

¹Nutrition and Dietetics, Marnara University, Faculty of Health Sciences, ²Department of Gastroenterology, Marmara University School of Medicine, ³⁠Institute of Gastroenterology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Türkiye, ⁴Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, United States

Rationale: Nutritional assessment is essential in patients with cirrhosis, as they are at increased risk of malnutrition and sarcopenia, which adversely affect clinical outcomes.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included adult patients with cirrhosis (n=57) at a tertiary center between October 2025 and April 2026. Nutritional status was assessed using Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002). Anthropometric measurements and body composition were evaluated using standard methods. Handgrip strength and the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs and Falls (SARC-F) questionnaire were used to assess sarcopenia risk. Dietary intake, physical activity (IPAQ-SF), and quality of life (CLDQ) were evaluated. Clinical and biochemical data were obtained from medical records. Ethical approval and written informed consent were obtained.

Results: The mean age was 59.4±12.4 years, and 52.6% of participants were male. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.16±5.22 kg/m² and body fat percentage was 30.71±9.46. SARC-F scores were positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.315, p = 0.017) and strongly negatively correlated with handgrip strength (r = -0.606, p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression including age, sex, BMI, SGA, and Child-Pugh score, BMI was the only independent predictor of sarcopenia risk (p = 0.010). In multivariable linear regression including age, sex, BMI, SGA, handgrip strength, and physical activity, higher SARC-F scores were independently associated with lower CLDQ scores (B = -0.857, p = 0.029).

Conclusion: Sarcopenia-related risk and malnutrition are highly prevalent in cirrhosis. Higher sarcopenia risk is associated with impaired muscle strength and reduced quality of life. Importantly, sarcopenia risk should not be overlooked in individuals with higher BMI, emphasizing the need for routine screening and early nutritional assessment.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared