Arm Skeletal Muscle Mass Is Associated With the Prognosis of Patients With Cirrhosis

Abstract

Background/aim: This study aimed to assess the clinical significance of measuring the arm skeletal muscle mass in patients with cirrhosis.

Patients and methods: Using body composition data measured with the bioimpedance analysis (BIA) method, the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) values of the arm (arm skeletal muscle mass/height²) and leg (leg skeletal mass muscle/height²) were calculated for 353 patients with cirrhosis, and the relationships of these indices to their prognosis were assessed. In addition, overhydration of the upper and lower limbs was compared.

Results: Arm SMI was significantly positively associated with the prognosis of patients with cirrhosis (p=0.0002) but leg SMI was not (p=0.0829). The rate of overhydration in the lower limbs was significantly higher than that in the upper limbs (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Arm SMI measured with the BIA method was suggested to be minimally affected by water retention, and might be clinically useful for patients with cirrhosis.

Keywords: Bioimpedance analysis; liver cirrhosis; prognosis; skeletal muscle mass index; upper limbs.