Functional status, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life in patients with cirrhosis

Abstract

Background: Liver diseases are responsible for metabolic disorders and loss of muscle mass and function that affect functional status and quality of life (QoL).

Objective: To compare exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and QoL in liver transplant candidates with cirrhosis of the following etiologies: hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and alcoholic cirrhosis (AC).

Methods: Cross-sectional study comprising 86 patients divided into three groups: HCV (40 patients), HBV (14 patients), and AC (32 patients). Patients were evaluated using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), manometry, and the QoL questionnaire SF-36.

Results: The AC group showed the lowest performance in the 6MWT (meters) compared to the HBV and HCV groups (373.50 ± 50.48, 464.16 ± 32, and 475.94 ± 27.84, respectively, p=0.001). In the domains of the SF-36, the AC group had lower scores for functional capacity and physical limitations when compared to the HBV and HCV groups (p=0.001). In the comparison of respiratory muscle strength, the AC group had lower MIP (cmH2O) compared to the HBV and HCV groups (-65.54 ± 11.28, -71.61 ± 6.96, -82.44 ± 13.71, respectively, p=0.001). The MEP (cmH2O) in the AC group was also lower than in the HBV and HCV groups (65.13 ± 10.74, 82.44 ± 13.87, 83.44 ± 12.20, respectively, p=0.001).

Conclusion: The AC group showed worse exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and QoL compared to patients with HCV and HBV.