| Abstract [eng] |
Purpose: To conduct a literature review on the interplay between sarcopenia and liver cirrhosis, diagnostic methods of sarcopenia, and treatment options. Methods: The literature search was conducted in the PubMed database using keywords. Articles on sarcopenia diagnosis, pathophysiological mechanisms related to cirrhosis, treatment, and articles on sarcopenia as a prognostic factor for cirrhosis were analysed. Results: Sarcopenia and liver cirrhosis are closely related conditions with shared pathophysiological mechanisms. Among the identified pathophysiological mechanisms are malnutrition, altered metabolism during cirrhosis, and hyperammonaemia. The severity of liver cirrhosis determines a greater manifestation of these mechanisms, thus correlating with the frequency of sarcopenia. Sarcopenia negatively affects the prognosis of cirrhosis patients, increasing mortality by up to 2.6 times and leading to more frequent and longer hospitalizations. Sarcopenia should be screened for in all patients with malnutrition or at high risk, and treatment involves ensuring adequate nutrition, physical activity, and cirrhosis therapy itself. Conclusions: Sarcopenia and cirrhosis are mutually influencing diseases. Due to the significant prognostic impact on survival in liver cirrhosis, efforts should be made to avoid sarcopenia by implementing proper nutrition or timely diagnosis and application of appropriate treatment methods. |
