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Review
. 2020 Sep;20(5):489-492.
doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2020-0089.

Sarcopenia in cirrhosis: A practical overview

Amritpal Dhaliwal  1 , Matthew J Armstrong  2
Affiliations
Review

Sarcopenia in cirrhosis: A practical overview

Amritpal Dhaliwal et al. Clin Med (Lond). 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Patients with liver cirrhosis and, in particular, those with liver failure are at high risk of reduced muscle mass and strength/function, otherwise known as sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is a complex, multifactorial (poor nutritional intake, protein catabolism, physical inactivity) chronic condition, which increases the risk of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Early recognition and tailored management incorporating high protein diets and combination aerobic/resistance exercise can ameliorate the complications associated with sarcopenia in cirrhosis. This review provides an overview of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, assessment tools and management of sarcopenia in cirrhosis.

Keywords: Sarcopenia; cirrhosis; liver failure; muscle; nutrition.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Main drivers of sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Overview of treatment of sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis. BCAA = branched-chain amino acids.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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