Nutritional Assessment in Patients with Cirrhosis of the Liver: A Clinical Perspective

Abstract

Liver cirrhosis is a significant health crisis in India. According to the World Health Organization, around 268,580 people die annually from liver disease. India ranks 63 ^rd in the world for age-adjusted mortality from liver disease. The prevalence of malnutrition is high in chronic liver disease. Malnutrition is associated with increasing mortality and morbidity, higher chances of infections, and poor quality of life. Malnutrition is often not recognized in liver cirrhosis due to fluid retention which makes nutritional assessment highly challenging. This article reviews the nutritional screening and assessment tools currently available for use in patients with liver cirrhosis. It also reviews the role of nutrition in the prevention of sarcopenia and malnutrition. Structured nutritional assessment should be incorporated into the routine care of patients with chronic liver disease. Effective management of nutrition depends on the collaborative approach between doctors, nurses, and dietitians to ensure early detection and improvement of malnutrition, thereby improving the overall outcome of patients