Early Nutritional Intervention in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation

The Effect of Early Nutritional Intervention on Muscle Mass in Patients Who Have Undergone Liver Transplantation

The main goal of this clinical study is to assess the feasibility of a 12-week oral nutritional supplementation post-liver transplantation (LT). Secondary objectives includes evaluating changes in nutritional risk, muscle strength and mass, and quality of life during the pre-transplant period, as well as the intervention's potential impact post-LT. Following LT, participants are randomized to either: a control group, or an intervention group (high protein and energy oral supplement (235mL) for 12 week). Participants awaiting LT will complete questionnaires including nutritional risk (Liver Disease Undernutrition Screening Tool), muscle strength (Chair Stand Test), and quality of life (SF-36) every three months until surgery, at discharge after LT, and at 12 weeks. Muscle mass is measured by a computed tomography (CT) scan at admission for LT and at 12 weeks. Feasibility is assessed via eligibility rate, recruitment rate, target recruitment rate, protocol and intervention adherence, attrition rate, and safety.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with cirrhosis listed for LT
• French or English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients awaiting multiple organ transplants
• patients with acute liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma
• patients who stayed in the intensive care unit for more than 30 days after LT