Ultrasound-Based Skeletal Muscle Assessment for Prognostication in Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review.
Liver IntSep 19, 2026
Clinical ResearchGastroenterology
Simone Di Cola, Paolo Gallo, Jakub Gazda et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the relationship between ultrasound-derived skeletal muscle measures and mortality in adults with cirrhosis, analyzing six prospective studies with 731 participants. The findings indicate that lower muscle measurements are associated with higher mortality risk, with a significant hazard ratio of 6.37 for ultrasound-defined sarcopenia predicting 6-month mortality in hospitalized patients.
Key findings
- Lower ultrasound-derived muscle measures were consistently linked to higher mortality in cirrhosis patients.
- Reduced rectus femoris area predicted 90-day mortality with a sub-hazard ratio of 0.57.
- Ultrasound-defined sarcopenia was associated with a hazard ratio of 6.37 for 6-month mortality.
- Higher serial rectus femoris muscle area measurements correlated with better survival in critically ill liver transplant candidates.
Why it matters
Understanding the prognostic value of ultrasound-based muscle assessments can enhance risk stratification in cirrhosis patients, potentially guiding clinical decision-making and monitoring strategies.