Hepatol Res. 2023 Nov 3. doi: 10.1111/hepr.13981. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIM: Following the coronavirus outbreak, a state of public emergency was declared worldwide, which enforced lifestyle changes. This study therefore aimed to investigate the changes in lifestyle, body composition, hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) under lockdown.
METHODS: During the lockdown period, 1344 patients with CLD answered a lifestyle questionnaire. In 298 patients, body composition and liver stiffness measure (LSM) / controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) were analyzed by InBody® and FibroScan®, respectively, and serial data were obtained in 137 patients.
RESULTS: Above half of the CLD patients answered decreases in physical activity and frequency of outings during lockdown, while diet was less affected. Overall, 58% of patients showed elevations in CAP values, which were not different statistically over times. Women, but not men, were more likely to increase CAP values during lockdown. LSM, nor serum fibrosis markers, were not elevated chronologically during lockdown. In men, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and visceral fat area (VFA) were significantly increased, whereas in women, lower-limb muscle mass was significantly decreased. Patients with decreased SMI showed elevations in CAP and VFA values, and patients who exercised less showed increases in BMI.
CONCLUSION: In response to lockdown, men tended to increase body fat but the degree of hepatic steatosis was less affected, while women were more likely to exacerbate hepatic steatosis with skeletal muscle loss among CLD patients. Gender-specific approaches need to be established for management of CLD patients to avoid exacerbation or comorbidity of steatotic liver disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:37921697 | DOI:10.1111/hepr.13981
