Factors related to fatigue in patients with cirrhosis before and after liver transplantation.

Background & Aims: We performed a prospective study to evaluate fatigue and identify potential determinants among patients with cirrhosis. We also studied the effects of liver transplantation on fatigue in these patients.

Methods: A total of 108 patients with cirrhosis being evaluated before liver transplantation completed the fatigue impact scale (FIS), the hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale, and the short-form 36 (SF-36).

Malnutrition and diabetes mellitus are related to hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Studies on animal models of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) suggest that poor nutritional status may facilitate the development of HE. Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus have recently been reported to affect cognition in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation. Our aim was to investigate the effects of malnutrition and diabetes mellitus on HE in unselected patients with liver cirrhosis.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with liver cirrhosis: associations with nutritional status and health-related quality of life.

Objective: Gastrointestinal symptoms can lead to decreased food intake and thereby increased morbidity. There is a general lack of data on the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and their potential association with malnutrition and health-related quality of life (QoL) in cirrhosis. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms, malnutrition, and QoL in patients with cirrhosis.

Supportive nutrition on recovery of metabolism, nutritional state, health-related quality of life, and exercise capacity after major surgery: a randomized study.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate whether specialized supportive enteral and parenteral feeding have superior effects compared to oral nutrition on recovery during long-term postoperative treatment of cancer patients with preoperative weight loss and reduced maximum exercise capacity.

Methods: One hundred twenty-six patients referred for resection of the esophagus (n = 48), stomach (n = 28), or pancreas (n = 50) were considered to be included before operation. Included patients (n = 80) received supportive enteral or parenteral nutrition postoperatively at home corresponding to 1000 kcal/d until the patients did not wish to continue with artificial nutrition for any reason.