Frailty is strongly associated with self-reported symptom burden among patients with cirrhosis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Although patients with cirrhosis often experience debilitating symptoms, few are referred for palliative care. Frailty is increasingly incorporated in liver transplantation evaluation and has been associated with symptom burden in other populations. We hypothesized that frail patients with cirrhosis are highly symptomatic and thus are likely to benefit from palliative care.

Methods

Patients with cirrhosis undergoing outpatient liver transplantation evaluation completed the Liver Frailty Index (grip strength, chair stands and balance) and a composite of validated measures including the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, distress and quality of life (QOL) measures.

Results

Of 233 patients (median age 61 years, 43% women), 22% were robust, 59% prefrail and 19%

SUBMITTER: Deng LX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8435043 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature