| Theme |
Life Style and Digestive Diseases |
| Title |
Nutrition in Liver Disease |
| Author |
Masakatsu Iwai |
First Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Kei Sahara |
First Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Yoshikazu Tamazawa |
First Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Akinobu Kato |
First Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Kazuyuki Suzuki |
First Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Patients with chronic liver disease are frequently malnourished. Malnutrition in these patient is defined as protein-energy malnutrition because kwashiorkor-like malnutrition and marasmus often coexist. Despite an increase in knowledge from research on metabolism and clinical nutrition, there is no generally accepted or standardized approach for diagnosis and classification of malnutrition in these patients. In 1997, the European Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN) Consensus Group provided clear nutritional guidelines for the management of patients with chronic liver disease. The nutritional status of patients with chronic liver diseases should be assessed and monitored regularly. Moreover, nutritional therapy plays an important role in the management of these patients. |