Background/aims: Previous studies of body composition in cirrhosis have either measured only one body compartment, used alcoholic subjects, or not corrected body composition for physical characteristics. The aim of this study was to perform a detailed analysis of body composition in subjects with nonalcoholic cirrhosis.
Methods: Simultaneous measurements of total body potassium and total body water were performed and values of body cell mass and body fat were corrected for physical characteristics.
Results: Child's class C patients had a significantly lower mean total body potassium index (i.e., percent observed value/expected value) and body fat index than class A or B patients. Eighty-one percent of class C patients had simultaneous reductions in body fat and body cell mass, and 71% of patients with class A disease had a significant reduction in either or both compartments. Nine patients showed the pattern of tissue loss seen with short-term starvation. Fourteen patients showed the pattern of tissue loss seen in physiological stress.
Conclusions: Severe liver disease is characterized by significant reductions in body fat and body cell mass, most class A patients have a significant reduction in some nutritional compartments, and the pattern of tissue loss may reflect mechanisms of tissue wasting.