Nutritional Assessment in Cirrhotic patients using Mini Nutritional Assessment Performa: A cross-Sectional study

Introduction: Liver cirrhosis is a condition often associated with malnutrition, which is caused by reduced nutrient intake and impaired hepatic metabolism. To assess nutritional status of patients with liver cirrhosis the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score is widely used.

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to determine nutritional status of liver cirrhosis patients using the MNA score and explore the correlation between malnutrition and complications related to this condition.

Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted on 330 liver cirrhosis patients at the Department of Gastroenterology, HMC Peshawar, between October 2022 and April 2023. Data on demographic characteristics, liver cirrhosis-related variables (such as ascites, portosystemic encephalopathy. and causes of liver cirrhosis), and MNA scores were collected using pre-designed questionnaires.

Results: Among the participants, 80.6% were classified as malnourished based on the MNA score. The mean age was 54.73 years, mean BMI was 22.41. The MNA scores categorized patients into malnourished, at risk of malnutrition, and normal nutritional status groups. Notably, 43.6% of the patients were malnourished, 37% were at risk of malnutrition, and 19.4% were well nourished. Significant associations were found between malnutrition and certain factors. Increased frequency of malnutrition was found in patients with hepatitis b virus infection. Moderate to gross ascites, variceal bleeding, and higher grades of hepatic encephalopathy were also significantly associated with malnutrition. Nonetheless, no association was observed between malnutrition and gender or body mass index (BMI).

Conclusion: Malnutrition is highly prevalent among liver cirrhosis patients, with older age, HBV etiology, moderate to gross ascites, variceal bleeding, and higher grades of Portosystemic Encephalopathy (PSE) being significant factors associated with malnutrition.