Hepatology
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See the full rubric →Ultrasound-Based Skeletal Muscle Assessment for Prognostication in Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review.
Clinical takeawayConsider incorporating ultrasound-based skeletal muscle assessment as a prognostic tool in cirrhosis patients, particularly in decompensated or hospitalized cases, but await standardized protocols and validated thresholds before routine clinical use.
What it foundLower ultrasound-derived muscle measures were consistently associated with higher mortality in adults with cirrhosis, particularly in decompensated or hospitalized cases, with ultrasound-defined sarcopenia linked to a 6.37-fold increase in 6-month mortality (HR 6.37; 95% CI 3.15-12.87) compared to CT or MRI-based assessments.
ContextThis review confirms the prognostic value of muscle loss in cirrhosis, previously assessed via CT or MRI, and introduces ultrasound as a feasible bedside alternative. However, it highlights the need for standardization and validated thresholds, which are currently lacking.
No standard claimed for this paper
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Cola SD … Merli M · Liver International : Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver · IF 6.7 · PubMed ↗