Impact of Liver Cirrhosis on Nutritional and Immunological Status
ABHASNEE SOBHONSLIDSUK, M.D.*, CHULAPORN ROONGPISUTHIPONG, M.D.*,
KANOKRAT NANTIRUJ, M.D.*, SWAIRIN KULAPONGSE, M.Sc.**,
SRIWATANA SONGCHITSOMBOON, D.Sc.**, KAEKAI SUMALNOP, B.Sc.*,
NANTA BUSSAGORN, B.Sc.*
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine,
** Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
AbstractThe aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of protein calorie malnutrition
(PCM) in Thai cirrhotic patients and to evaluate nutritional and immunological status in various
stages of cirrhosis. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and anthropometric measurement were
used as nutritional assessment in sixty cirrhotic patients. Delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test,
lymphocyte count, immunoglobulin and complement were assessed for immune status. Blood
samples were sent for routine tests, prealbumin, thiamine and riboflavin level. There were 7/60
(11.7%) patients with percentage of ideal body weight (%1BW) less than 90 per cent. SGA, hemo
globin, protein indices and cholesterol level showed the deterioration of nutritional status in the late
stage of the disease. Five (8.3%) patients with thiamine deficiency, and thirteen (21.7%) patients
with riboflavine deficiency were detected. Lowest levels of complement and highest levels of
immunoglobulin also occurred in the late stage of the disease. In conclusion, defining %1BW <90 per
cent as malnutrition, the prevalence of malnutrition in Thai cirrhotic patients was 11.7 per cent.
Nutritional and immunological status deteriorated according to the advanced stage of disease. If
nutritional support is given in the early stage, it may improve nutritional status and reduce morbi
dity and mortality in cirrhotic patients.
Keywords : Liver Cirrhosis, Nutritional Status, Immunological Status
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