Maximum Oxygen Consumption Predicts Mortality in Patients with Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Background/Aims: Liver diseases are responsible for metabolic disturbances and the loss of muscle mass and function. This study aims to correlate maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) with the Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) severity score and associate VO2max with mortality in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Methodology: This prospective study included 27 patients who had a diagnosis of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. All subjects were followed for 3 years and performed an exercise test to determine VO2max. Results: The study included 18 men and 9 women. We observed a strong inverse correlation between VO2max and MELD (r=-0.91, p<0.001). In a survival analysis, individuals who had a VO2max less than 14mL/kg showed 60% mortality when compared with those who had a VO2max greater than 14mL/kg (p<0.0001; OR: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.44-5.25). Conclusions: The VO2max is directly associated with the survival of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and demonstrates a strong inverse correlation with the MELD severity score.