Here we sought to clarify the prognostic impact of sarcopenia-related markers (grip strength (GS), muscle mass using bioimpedance analysis and patient quality of life as assessed by the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF36)) in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs, n = 411; 160 liver cirrhosis patients; median age, 64 years) on the incidence of composite hepatic events (CHEs). A GS decrease was defined as <26 kg in men and <18 kg in women, while a skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) decrease was defined as <7.0 kg/m2 in men and <5.7 kg/m2 in women based on the current guidelines. The physical and metal component summary scores on the SF36 were also included into the analysis. Sixty-two patients (15.1%) had the first incidence of CHEs. The three-year cumulative incidence rates of CHEs in patients with GS decrease or non-decrease were 24.51% and 12.44% (p = 0.0057). The three-year cumulative incidence rates of CHEs in patients with an SMI decrease or non-decrease were 19.65% and 12.99% (p = 0.0982). Multivariate analysis revealed that GS decrease (p = 0.0350) and prothrombin time (p = 0.0293) were significantly associated with the incidence of CHEs. In conclusion, GS can be an independent predictor for CHE development in patients with CLDs.
Decrease in grip strength is associated with the progression of sleep disturbances in chronic liver diseases