Mixed
Sarcopenia (severe muscle depletion measured by cross-sectional imaging) is an independent predictor of increased mortality on the liver transplant waiting list, particularly in patients with lower MELD scores (<15).
For patients with advanced liver disease awaiting transplant, muscle mass is a critical predictor of survival, independent of standard severity scores. Objective assessment of muscle mass (via imaging) is superior to subjective tools like BMI for identifying high-risk patients, particularly those with lower disease severity scores.
Sarcopenia was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio = 2.36, 95% confidence interval = 1.23-4.53) after adjustments for age and MELD scores.
Why this rating
Retrospective cohort study with a moderate sample size (n=142) and clear statistical adjustment for confounders.
Source
Severe muscle depletion in patients on the liver transplant wait list: Its prevalence and independent prognostic value
Puneeta Tandon et al. · Liver Transplantation · 2012
DOI 10.1002/lt.23495
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