To assess the dietary nutrition status of patients with liver cirrhosis and to explore the relationship between dietary fiber and micronutrient intake and the prevalence of sarcopenia, providing a theoretical foundation for sarcopenia prevention in this patient population.

The current study was conducted among patients with liver cirrhosis in the gastroenterology department of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital by purposive sampling from September 2022 to December 2023. The 24-hour dietary recall method was used to collect information on the types and quantities of food consumed by the patients. Whole-body muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and sarcopenia was diagnosed in combination with handgrip strength and 6-meter walking speed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between energy and nutrient intake and sarcopenia.

A total of 203 patients with cirrhosis were included in the analysis, including 40.4% with sarcopenia. Negative correlations were observed between sarcopenia prevalence and the intake of dietary fiber (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.75-0.96), vitamin A (OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.77-0.98), vitamin C(OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.97), potassium (OR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.80-0.97), magnesium (OR=0.93, 95% CI: 0.87-0.99) and copper (OR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.14-0.67). Additionally, an interactive effect was identified between age and the intake of vitamin C, phosphorus, and iron (Pfor interaction<0.05).

Dietary fiber and micronutrient intake are closely related to sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. It is crucial to enhance nutritional education for patients with liver cirrhosis and their families, and to consider the use of nutritional supplements when necessary to prevent sarcopenia, particularly in the elderly.