Hemoglobin levels as a surrogate marker of sarcopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Shibamoto, Akihiko; Namisaki, Tadashi; Suzuki, Junya; Kubo, Takahiro; Iwai, Satoshi; Tomooka, Fumimasa; Takeda, Soichi; Fujimoto, Yuki; Enomoto, Masahide; Murata, Koji; Inoue, Takashi; Tsuji, Yuki; Fujinaga, Yukihisa; Nishimura, Norihisa; Kitagawa, Koh; Takaya, Hiroaki; Kaji, Kosuke; Kawaratani, Hideto; Akahane, Takemi; Mitoro, Akira; Yoshiji, Hitoshi

Shibamoto, Akihiko; Namisaki, Tadashi; Suzuki, Junya; Kubo, Takahiro; Iwai, Satoshi; Tomooka, Fumimasa; Takeda, Soichi; Fujimoto, Yuki; Enomoto, Masahide; Murata, Koji; Inoue, Takashi; Tsuji, Yuki; Fujinaga, Yukihisa; Nishimura, Norihisa; Kitagawa, Koh; Takaya, Hiroaki; Kaji, Kosuke; Kawaratani, Hideto; Akahane, Takemi; Mitoro, Akira; Yoshiji, Hitoshi.

Affiliation

Shibamoto A; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Namisaki T; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Suzuki J; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Kubo T; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Iwai S; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Tomooka F; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Takeda S; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Fujimoto Y; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Enomoto M; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Murata K; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Inoue T; Department of Evidence-Based Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Tsuji Y; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Fujinaga Y; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Nishimura N; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Kitagawa K; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Takaya H; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Kaji K; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Kawaratani H; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Akahane T; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Mitoro A; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
Yoshiji H; Department of Gastroenterology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.

Hepatol Res ; 53(8): 713-722, 2023 Aug.

Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37050844

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

AIM:

This study aimed to elucidate a surrogate marker of sarcopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC).

METHODS:

A total of 424 patients were assessed for handgrip strength (HGS) and skeletal muscle index (SMI). They were divided into two groups sarcopenia (Group S; n = 80) and nonsarcopenia (Group NS; n = 344).

RESULTS:

Group S showed significantly lower HGS, SMI, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in males and female patients, and lower serum levels of albumin, cholinesterase, and zinc (all p < 0.001), along with significantly higher serum levels of procollagen type III-N-peptide and type IV collagen 7S-domain (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0017) than Group NS. The risk factors for sarcopenia were age 65 years or older, female gender, Child-Pugh class C, and Hb levels <10.9 g/dL in women and <12.4 g/dL in men (p = 0.012, p < 0.001, p = 0.031, and p < 0.001, respectively). Significant positive correlations were found between the Hb level and the SMI and HGS (r = 0.4, p < 0.001 and r = 0.4, p < 0.001, respectively). Sarcopenia, low HGS, and low SMI were significantly associated with overall survival in patients with LC (all p < 0.001). The predictive accuracy of Hb levels for predicting sarcopenia was significantly higher than for predicting SMI and tended to be higher than for predicting HGS (p = 0.014 and p = 0.059, respectively).