Malnutrition among Patients with Chronic Liver Disease Admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Protein-calorie malnutrition is a transversal condition to all stages of chronic liver disease. It is considered an independent predictor of mortality that leads to an increased number of complications. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of malnutrition among patients with chronic liver disease admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in a tertiary care centre. METHOD: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done among patients with chronic liver disease admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in a tertiary care centre between 10 January 2021 to 15 February 2022 after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 394/077/078-IRC). The nutritional status of patients was assessed by subjective global assessment. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. RESULTS: Among 110 patients with chronic liver disease, malnutrition was seen in 91 (82.72%) (75.65-89.79, 95% Confidence Interval). Out of 91 patients who were malnourished, 56 (61.53%) had moderate malnutrition whereas 35 (38.46%) had severe malnutrition. Seventy-six (83.51%) suffered from alcoholic cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of malnutrition among patients with chronic liver disease was higher than in other studies done in similar settings.