Published online Aug 27, 2022. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i8.1652
Peer-review started: June 5, 2022
First decision: June 22, 2022
Revised: July 4, 2022
Accepted: August 15, 2022
Article in press: August 15, 2022
Published online: August 27, 2022
Processing time: 81 Days and 12.5 Hours
Although the prognostic relevance of sarcopenia has been increasingly recognised in the context of liver disease, there is a paucity of data evaluating body composition in patients with chronic hepa
To evaluate the association between components of sarcopenia and demographic, clinical, lifestyle, nutritional, and biochemical variables in CHB patients.
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess muscle mass by quantifying appendicular lean mass (ALM) adjusted for body mass index (ALMBMI). Muscle function was evaluated by hand grip strength (HGS) and the timed up and go test. Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) was defined according to the criteria proposed by an international expert panel. A body shape index and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used to assess central obesity and physical activity level, respectively.
This cross-sectional study included 105 CHB outpatients followed at the tertiary care ambulatory centre (mean age, 48.5 ± 12.0 years; 58.1% males; 76.2% without cirrhosis; 23.8% with compensated cirrhosis). The DXA-derived fat mass percentage was inversely correlated with the ALMBMI (r = - 0.87) and HGS (r = - 0.63). In the multivariable analysis, MAFLD, sedentarism and central obesity were positively and independently associated with low ALMBMI. MAFLD and central obesity were independently associated with low HGS.
MAFLD and central obesity were associated with low muscle mass and strength in patients with chronic hepatitis B, independent of the liver disease stage.
Core Tip: Recently, the clinical significance of sarcopenia in hepatic disease has been increasingly recognised. In patients with chronic hepatitis B, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and central obesity were associated with low muscle mass and strength. Metabolic and skeletal muscle abnormality appraisal should be encouraged among individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B virus.
