Nutrition profile of a liver transplant recipient

Pre-transplant phase

A 54-year-old Indian male patient diagnosed with ethanol and hepatitis C virus-related chronic liver disease underwent living donor LT (Child-Turcotte-Pugh score^[5] = 8, Model for ESLD score^[6] = 14). Medical history showed the patient suffered from jaundice (for 2 years), ascites (for 3 months) and excessive fatigue (for 15 days). The patient was admitted 12 days before LT. Biochemical parameters before LT depicted deranged results [Table 1].

Nutrition status assessment by anthropometry depicted mild malnutrition by mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and severe malnutrition by triceps measurement.^[7] Subjective global assessment (SGA) showed moderate malnutrition.^[8] Hand grip strength (both hands) showed severe malnutrition.^[9]

Body composition analysis depicted standard physique of the patient with normal levels of fat percentage, fat-free mass (FFM), and muscle mass [Table 2].^[10]

Diet history depicted no gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, dental or oral problem, or food allergies. The simplified nutritional appetite questionnaire (SNAQ) score was 16 hence there was no significant risk of at least 5% weight loss within 6 months.^[11] The patient was alcoholic (CAGE score > 2).^[12] He was recommended an oral normal diet with supplements providing 2700 kcal, 115 g of proteins with salt (2 g) and fluid restriction (1.5 L/day).^[4] Patients’ intake was 1100 kcal and 40 g protein, indicating consumption of 57.6% of the recommended calories.

Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score of 3 indicated that the patient was capable of only limited self-care and unable to carry out any work activities that was ≥ 50% of working hours.^[13] Quality of life (QOL) assessment by short form-36 before LT depicted low level in its eight dimensions [Figure 1].^[14]

Figure 1. Comparison of quality of life by short form-36 questionnaire pre- and post-transplant. PF: physical functioning; RP: role limitation due to physical health; RE: role limitation due to emotional problem; VT: vitality; MH: mental health; SF: social function; BP: body pain; GH: general health

Acute post-transplant phase

The altered blood parameters are important for implementing the nutrition therapy plan. Deranged biochemical parameters in this phase are presented in Figure 2a-h. The patient had been in intensive care unit for 3 days. At post-operation day (POD), 1 patient was extubated within 24 h and was provided propofol 45 mL (1 kcal/mL) and dextrose normal saline 440 mL (17 kcal/100 mL), KCl 45 mL intravenously. On POD 2 propofol, 120 mL and KCl 120 mL was given. On POD 3 KCl 40 mL along with oral liquids (250 kcal) was given. On POD 4, he was transferred to the LT unit and was given oral high protein normal diet with supplements providing 2,700 kcal and 115 g protein. The patient was not able to complete meals (especially lunch and dinner), because of nausea and lack of appetite. An increasing trend of energy and protein consumption after LT during the hospital stay is indicated in Figure 3. The patient met 76.4% and 103% of the recommended calorie and protein intake, respectively. The patient was discharged on POD 15, on 2,700 kcal and 115 g of proteins (high protein, low potassium normal diet) out of which 375 kcal and 36 g of protein were from low potassium nutrition supplements and about 352 kcal, and 24 g protein was from high calorie-protein biscuits.^[4] He was recommended to take multivitamins and potassium binding medications, to monitor glucose regularly, and to avoid the outer source of infection.

Figure 2. Each panel depicts acute post-operative patient profile of WBC (a), hemoglobin (b), platelets (c), albumin and total protein (d), bilirubin (D and T) (e), AST, ALT, γ glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphates (f), sodium (g), and potassium (h), respectively. Hb: hemoglobin; WBC: white blood cell; Alb: albumin; Bili: bilirubin; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; POD: post-operation day

Figure 3. Energy (a) and protein (b) intake of the patient during the hospital stay after the transplant. POD: post-operation day

Chronic post-transplant phase

Gradual improvement in all the biochemical parameters was seen after 3 months of LT [Table 3]. The patient regularly visited the hepatologist after the surgery but never visited the dietician. The patient’s intake was 1,983 kcal and 78.9 g protein from the oral diet without any nutritional supplement. The recommended intake amounts to 2,280 kcal and 76 g of protein.^[4] Hence, patient met 83.9% of calorie requirements.

The patient was not having any GI problem; he was able to perform daily routine functions. The SNAQ score was 16 which showed no significant risk of at least 5% weight loss within 6 months.^[11] QOL assessment depicted improvement of all the eight dimensions 3 months after LT [Figure 1].^[14] The performance status assessment by ECOG improved from a score of 3 to 1 which indicated that the patient was restricted in physically strenuous activity but was ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature.^[13] Nutrition status assessment is depicted in Table 4. Anthropometric examination through, MAMC^[7] showed similar results as in pre-transplant phase, which is mild malnutrition. Triceps measurement improved from severe malnutrition to normal range.^[7] SGA scores improved from moderate malnutrition to normal.^[8] Body composition analysis depicted higher levels of fat percentage and FFM after 3 months of LT.^[10] Hand grip strength (both hands) showed severe malnutrition similar to pre-transplant phase.^[9]

Acknowledgments

Dr. A. S. Soin: Chief Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgeon and Chairman of Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta, The Medicity, Gurgaon, India, for permitting the author to collect information regarding liver transplant patients from their institute.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.