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evaluate the prevalence of low PhA and its association with demographic, clinical and nutritional variables in CHC. Methods We prospectively included 222 patients [mean age, 53.7 ± 11.7 years; males, 116 (52.3%); diabetes mellitus, 40 (18.0%); hypertension, 91 (41.0%); cirrhosis, 87 (39.2%); underweight (BMI, <18.5kg/m 2 for adults and <22kg/m 2 for elderly), 9 (4.1%)]. The diagnosis and staging of liver disease were based on clinical, biochemical, histological, and radiological criteria. The PhA values were classified into percentiles according to the age/sex and the 5th percentile was adopted as cut-off point. Low muscle mass was defined as <15th percentile for mid-upper-arm muscle area (MAMA). Data were analysed in logistic regression models. Results Low PhA and reduced MAMA were identified in 52 (23.4%) and 55 (24.8%) patients, respectively. The Aspartate aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients was 3.4 ± 2.8 and 0.8 ± 0.7, P £0.001, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, adjusted for age, body mass index and gender, low PhA was significantly and independently associated with cirrhosis (OR=3.74; 95% CI=1.68-8.31; P=0.001) and low MAMA (OR=5.66; 95% CI=2.56-12.68; P £0.001) (table 1). ConclusionLow PhA is associated with negative conditions such as cirrhosis and low muscle mass. Reduced PhA is associated with poor clinical and nutritional prognosis in CHC patients.