VA cooperative study on alcoholic hepatitis II: Prognostic significance of protein-calorie malnutrition

C. L. Mendenhall, T. Tosch, R. E. Weesner, P. Garcia-Pont, S. J. Goldberg, T. Kiernan, L. B. Seeff, M. Sorell, C. Tamburro, R. Zetterman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

201 Scopus citations

Abstract

Three hundred and fifty-two patients with alcoholic hepatitis were evaluated for protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM). In order to facilitate data analysis of nutritional status, a PCM score was calculated for each patient using eight nutritional parameters. The PCM score correlated significantly with mortality, clinical severity of the liver disease, and biochemical liver dysfunction. When 30 day changes in the PCM scores were compared with 30 day caloric intake (expressed as percent basal energy expenditure (BEE)), a marginally significant correlation was observed (p = 0.05). However, those patients who showed improvement in their PCM score over 30 days of hospitalization also improved their 6-mo and 1-yr survival. These data indicate that nutrition, as determined by the PCM score, has prognostic significance. Additional studies are needed to establish the beneficial role for vigorous protein-calorie nutritional therapy in the management of alcoholic hepatitis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)213-218
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume43
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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