A patient with cirrhosis is at risk for protein-calorie malnutrition.
Conditions that may contribute to protein-calorie malnutrition in a patient with cirrhosis:
(1) unbalanced diet (low in nutrients, vitamins and trace metals, high in alcohol)
(2) poor dietary intake secondary to anorexia or early satiety
(3) nausea and vomiting
(4) gastroparesis
(5) protein loss from the GI tract (including GI bleeding)
(6) insulin resistance
(7) fat malabsorption
(8) increased metabolic rate (infection, other)
(9) ascites (especially with repeat paracentesis)
(10) decreased synthesis and storage of nutrients in the liver
(11) bacterial overgrowth of the GI tract
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Specialty: Nutrition, Gastroenterology
