Introduction
Advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) is characterized by a hypercatabolic state leading to progressive muscle loss and sarcopenia, affecting up to 40% of patients. Sarcopenia is associated with increased mortality, higher risk of hepatic decompensation, and worse clinical outcomes. Although computed tomography is the gold standard for muscle mass assessment, its use is limited by cost, radiation exposure, and accessibility. Muscle ultrasound has emerged as a simple, non-invasive bedside alternative. Advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) is characterized by a hypercatabolic state leading to progressive muscle loss and sarcopenia, affecting up to 40% of patients. Sarcopenia is associated with increased mortality, higher risk of hepatic decompensation, and worse clinical outcomes. Although computed tomography is the gold standard for muscle mass assessment, its use is limited by cost, radiation exposure, and accessibility. Muscle ultrasound has emerged as a simple, non-invasive bedside alternative.
Aims & Methods
This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of quadriceps muscle ultrasound in patients with ACLD, focusing on hepatic decompensation and 6-month mortality.
We conducted a prospective, single-center observational study including 55 consecutive hospitalized patients with ACLD in 2024. Muscle ultrasound was performed within 48 hours of admission using a 7.5–10 MHz linear probe, with patients in the supine position. Quadriceps thickness was measured at two-thirds of the distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the patella. Three measurements per limb were obtained, and the mean value was normalized to height (thickness/height ratio). Primary outcomes were hepatic decompensation and 6-month mortality.
Results
Patients were predominantly male (85.5%), with a mean age of 60 years; alcohol-related liver disease was the leading etiology (69%). Median MELD-Na was 20, and most patients were Child-Pugh C. The mean thickness/height ratio was 7.22 ± 2.11 cm/m. During follow-up, 34.5% developed hepatic decompensation and 38.2% died.
ROC analysis demonstrated good discrimination for hepatic decompensation (AUC = 0.698; p = 0.02) and moderate discrimination for mortality (AUC = 0.638; p = 0.04). Optimal cut-offs were 7.95 cm/m and 7.0 cm/m, respectively. Patients with lower thickness/height ratio had a markedly increased risk of hepatic decompensation (OR ≈ 9; p = 0.01) and mortality (OR ≈ 5; p = 0.03). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed significantly earlier decompensation and reduced survival in patients with lower muscle thickness (log-rank p < 0.05 for both outcomes).
Conclusion
Quadriceps muscle ultrasound is a simple, rapid, and reproducible bedside tool for assessing muscle mass in ACLD. The thickness/height ratio demonstrated significant prognostic value, with lower values associated with increased risk and earlier occurrence of hepatic decompensation and mortality. These findings support the integration of muscle ultrasound into routine clinical assessment of ACLD patients. Limitations include small sample size, single-center design, and lack of functional muscle assessment.
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