Impact of liver cirrhosis on lung function, physical capacity and muscle strength: cross-cross study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the pulmonary, functional and muscular capacity of patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) when compared with healthy individuals. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study carried out in patients with LC. The sample consisted of 40 individuals, 22 patients with LC (Liver Cirrhosis Group - LCG), 81.82% Child-Pugh B, the majority being male (n=14) with a mean age of 59.86±8, 13 and 18 control individuals (Control Group - CG) paired with the GCH. Data from the pulmonary function test were recorded using spirometry, isometric peripheral muscle strength of knee joint extension using a polyarticular isokinetic dynamometer, exercise capacity using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and peripheral muscle oxygenation using near-infrared spectroscopy. Results: The values ??of LCG were lower in forced expiratory volume in the first second when compared to predicted (80.69 ± 14.67 vs. 95.59 ± 12.20% of predicted, p<0.01), right peripheralmuscle strength (117.55 ± 44.00 vs.148.86 ± 47.54, p = 0.02), distance walked in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) (416.91 ± 111.65 vs. 576.82 ± 72.22, p<0.01), and tissue saturation index (TSI) before and after the 6MWT, respectively (64.27 ± 12.31 vs.76.36 ± 8.02%, p<0.01) and (65, 08 ± 14.46 vs. 78.46 ± 9.05%, p<0.01). There was a moderate correlation between the distance walked on the 6MWT and the right (rho = 0.46, p = 0.03) and left (rho = 0.53, p = 0.01) peripheral muscle strength. Conclusion: Patients with LC have changes in exercise capacity, TSI, and peripheral muscle strengthm and this reduction interferes with the exercise capacity.