Changes in frailty are associated with waitlist mortality in patients with cirrhosis

Frailty, as measured at a single time point, is predictive of death in patients with cirrhosis, but whether change in frailty over time is associated with death is unknown. In an 8-center study of over 1,000 patients with cirrhosis who underwent testing of frailty, we demonstrate that patients changes in frailty are strongly linked with mortality, regardless of baseline frailty and liver disease severity. Notably, patients who experienced improvements in frailty over time had a lower risk of death/delisting than those who experienced worsening frailty. Our data support the longitudinal measurement of frailty, using the LFI, in patients with cirrhosis and lay the foundation for interventional work aimed at reversing frailty.
Source: Journal of Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Source Type: research