[Role of enteral nutrition in correction of protein-energy metabolism and quality of life indices in liver cirrhosis of viral etiology].

UNLABELLED: The aim of this work is to improve the efficiency of treatment and life quality of patients with HCV hepatic cirrhosis (HC) Class C by means of correction of protein-energy insufficiency (PEI) using enteral nutritive mixtures with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). OBJECT AND METHODS OF RESEARCH: A randomized prospective controlled open research of the efficiency of therapy with enteral nutritive mixtures with BCAA for patients with HCV hepatic cirrhosis Class C (score: 10-12) was conducted. It evaluated life quality of the patients (by questionnaire SF-36), the degree of hepatic encephalopathy (by number connection test) as well as the protein-energy insufficiency indexes (weight index, arm muscles circumference, skin-fat fold for triceps and albumin).

RESULTS: Nutritive support with BCAA prevents progression of protein-energy insufficiency, improves functionality class of patients with HCV hepatic cirrhosis Class C and reduces severity of hepatic encephalopathy, p < 0.003. Enteral nutrition with BCAA improves life quality of patients with HCV hepatic cirrhosis Class C, p < 0.012.

CONCLUSION: Enteral nutrition with BCAA for patients with HCV hepatic cirrhosis Class C (score: 10-12) improves treatment efficiency and is safe.