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Nutritional support in patients with chronic liver disease

Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 3, pages 202–209 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Malnutrition is highly prevalent among patients with chronic liver disease and is nearly universal among patients awaiting liver transplantation. Malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis leads to increased morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermore, patients who are severely malnourished before transplant surgery have a higher rate of complications and a decreased overall survival rate after liver transplantation. In light of the high incidence of malnutrition among patients with chronic liver disease and the complications that result from malnutrition in these patients, it is essential to assess the nutritional status of all patients with liver disease, and to initiate treatment as indicated. This review addresses the etiologies of malnutrition, methods used to assess nutritional status, and appropriate treatment strategies.

Key Points

  • Malnutrition is an increasingly recognized complication of chronic liver disease that has important prognostic implications

  • Etiologies include poor oral intake, malabsorption, increased energy expenditure, and an altered pattern of fuel consumption

  • The nutritional status of all patients with liver disease should be assessed to identify those at risk of developing preventable complications

  • Initiating nutritional therapy can reduce the risk of complications and improve the overall mortality rate

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fellow in the Division of Hepatology,

    Anne S Henkel & Alan L Buchman

  2. Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Anne S Henkel & Alan L Buchman

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  1. Anne S Henkel
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  2. Alan L Buchman
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Correspondence to Alan L Buchman.

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Henkel, A., Buchman, A. Nutritional support in patients with chronic liver disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 3, 202–209 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0443

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