Early feeding after esophageal variceal band ligation in cirrhotics is safe: Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oral feeding following variceal ligation in cirrhotics is usually delayed due to fear of rebleeding. Solid diet is usually further delayed (until 72 h) despite lack of evidence. We aimed to compare the impact of early versus delayed feeding on rebleeding following variceal ligation. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial including patients undergoing variceal ligation for active esophageal variceal bleeding. Patients were randomized into two groups. In the early-feeding group, liquid diet was given after 1 h following variceal ligation and a regular solid diet was resumed after 4 h. In the delayed-feeding group, patients fasted for the first 4 h after variceal ligation, liquid diet was given until 24 h, soft diet for the next 48 h and a regular solid diet after 72 h. RESULTS: There were 52 and 49 patients in the early and delayed feeding groups, respectively. Very early rebleeding rates [2 (3.84%) vs 1 (2.04%); P ≥ 0.99] and delayed rebleeding rates [2 (3.84%) vs 4 (8.16%); P = 0.75] were similar in both groups. Protein and calorie intake in the early-feeding group was significantly better and early infections in active bleeders were significantly lower compared to the delayed-feeding group. One-month mortality was similar in both groups [3 (5.76%) vs 4 (8.16%); P = 0.75]. CONCLUSION: Early feeding with a regular solid diet in conscious patients after successful variceal ligation for esophageal varices is safe, provides better nutrition and results in lower incidence of infections in bleeders compared to delayed feeding.

Normative values of skeletal muscle mass, strength and performance in the Indian population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Skeletal muscle is characterized by its mass, strength and performance. These normative values are pivotal in defining sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is associated with poor outcome of numerous medical and surgical conditions. This study aimed to establish normative benchmarks for skeletal muscle mass, strength and performance within the context of the Asian (Indian) population. METHODS: Our investigation utilized the computed tomography (CT) skeletal muscle index (SMI), handgrip strength (HGS), gait velocity and chair-stand test to construct reference values for muscle characteristics in the Indian population. RESULTS: The SMI analysis incorporated 1485 cases of acute abdomen (54.7%) males). The calculated SMI (kg/m2) was 38.50 (35.05-42.30) in males and 36.30 (32.20-41.20) in females (p = 0.510). The study also involved 3083 healthy individuals (67.6% males) evaluated for muscle strength and performance between August 2017 and August 2018. Notably, HGS (kg force) was recorded at 34.95 (26.50-43.30) in males and 25.50 (18.60-31.20) in females (p < 0.001). Gait velocity (metres/second) exhibited values of 1.25 (1.04-1.56) in males and 1.24 (1.03-1.56) in females (p = 0.851). Additionally, chair-stand test (seconds) results were 10.00 (9.00-13.00) in males and 12.00 (10.00-14.00) in females (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The investigation determined that males had greater muscle strength and performance than females. But gender wise, there was no significant difference in muscle mass. Interestingly, our population's muscle parameters were consistently lower compared to western literature benchmarks. These normative values will help to define sarcopenia parameters in our population, which have prognostic value in multiple ailments.

Muscle strength and physical performance, rather than muscle mass, correlate with mortality in end-stage liver disease.

OBJECTIVES: Sarcopenia is characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and performance. The study aimed to provide cut off values of various Sarcopenia parameters [computerized tomography skeletal muscle index (SMI), handgrip strength (HGS), gait velocity and chair stand] to predict mortality in end-stage liver disease (ESLD). METHODS: The inclusion criteria were age 18-75 years, model for end-stage liver disease > 15. All patients with advanced heart, lung, kidney diseases, active malignancy were excluded from the study. Sarcopenia indices were compared between survivors and non-survivors to find cut off value for prediction of mortality in ESLD patients. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-one subjects suffering from ESLD were enrolled. The cutoff value of the SMI to identify high risk of mortality in sarcopenia patients is ≤21.2 cm2/m2, area under the curve (AUC) 0.537 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.456-0.616]. The cutoff value of the hand grip strength to identify high-risk mortality is ≤25.3 kilogram-force, AUC 0.682 (95% CI 0.604-0.753). The cutoff value of the gait velocity for the same is as ≤0.84 m/s, AUC 0.551 (95% CI 0.459-0.641). The cutoff value of the chair stand is ≥20.9 seconds, AUC 0.956 (95% CI 0.910-0.983). In the multivariate analysis, HGS, gait velocity and chair stand correlated with mortality. CONCLUSION: The current study is a comprehensive Asian study that gives the cut off values of Sarcopenia: muscle mass, strength and performance which identify high risk of mortality in ESLD patients. Muscle strength and performance correlated with mortality.