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[Nutritional therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis].

[Nutritional therapy in patients with liver cirrhosis].

Authors :
Kondrup J
Nielsen K
Hamberg O
Source :
Ugeskrift for laeger [Ugeskr Laeger] 1993 Jul 19; Vol. 155 (29), pp. 2248-51.
Publication Year :
1993

Abstract

Malnutrition is common among patients with cirrhosis of the liver. During the last seven years a total of eight randomized studies concerning the effect of nutritional therapy on the clinical course of these patients have been published. In five of these trials nutritional therapy had an effect on the clinical course (reduced mortality, lessening of ascites and encephalopathy) and in the last three trials only effects on clinical chemistry variables related to liver function could be demonstrated. Overall one-month mortality decreased from 30% in the control groups to 14% in the treated groups, when all the trials were added together (total of 320 patients). Patients with liver cirrhosis have an increased requirement for protein to achieve nitrogen balance. Prescribing diets with restricted protein is no longer warranted in these patients, since protein intolerance is actually uncommon. In patients intolerant of protein, substitution of conventional protein with branched chain amino acids can be effective.

Details

Language :
Danish
ISSN :
0041-5782
Volume :
155
Issue :
29
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Ugeskrift for laeger
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
8328092