FREQUENCY OF SARCOPENIA IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS DETERMINED ON ABDOMINAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Abstract

Background: Fibrosis of the liver progresses to cirrhosis resulting in hepatocellular dysfunction. Sarcopenia is an early sign of liver malfunction. Early detection of sarcopenia may provide a chance to cure or delay deterioration of liver function. This study aimed to detect sarcopenia on abdominal computed tomography (CT). Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi from 1^st October 2022 to 31^st March 2023. All patients suffering from Hepatitis B or C referred for evaluation of complications were included in the study. After informed consent and examination, at LV3 level an axial CT image in abdominal window was assessed on each scan using Radiant^® software. Muscles including internal and external obliques and transversus abdominus, rector spinae, quadratus lumborum, and psoas were identified and evaluated. A threshold of -29 to -150 HU, and -29 to 150 HU for fatty tissue and skeletal muscles respectively was used. Cross-sectional area of each muscle was calculated on the vitrea and skeletal muscle index was calculated. Cut-off value for men was taken as 52.4 Cm²/m², and for women it was 38.5 Cm²/m². Results: A total 120 chronic liver disease patients (21 males and 99 female) were studied. All (100%) men, and 82 (83.8%) women had sarcopenia. Conclusion: Sarcopenia was a common finding with male predominance in patients suffering from Hepatitis B and/or C. CT evaluation is an effective and non-invasive tool for evaluation of sarcopenia as an indicator of liver dysfunction.

Pak J Physiol 2023;19(3):20–2