A semi-mechanistic model has been developed to predict FFM (and therefore LBW) from easily accessible patient characteristics. This model has been prospectively evaluated and shown to have good predictive performance.

Background and aim: Obesity is a risk factor for progression of fibrosis in chronic liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to investigate the longer term effect of weight loss on liver biochemistry, serum insulin levels, and quality of life in overweight patients with liver disease and the effect of subsequent weight maintenance or regain. Patients: Thirty one patients completed a 15 month diet and exercise intervention. Results: On completion of the intervention, 21 patients (68%) had achieved and maintained weight loss with a mean reduction of 9.4 (4.0)% body weight. Improvements in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were correlated with the amount of weight loss (r = 0.35, p = 0.04). In patients who maintained weight loss, mean ALT levels at 15 months remained significantly lower than values at enrolment (p = 0.004), while in regainers (n = 10), mean ALT levels at 15 months were no different to values at enrolment (p = 0.79). Improvements in fasting serum insulin levels were also correlated with weight loss (r = 0.46, p = 0.04), and subsequent weight maintenance sustained this improvement. Quality of life was significantly improved after weight loss. Weight maintainers sustained recommended levels of physical activity and had higher fasting insulin levels (p = 0.03) at enrolment than weight regainers. Conclusion: In summary, these findings demonstrate that maintenance of weight loss and exercise in overweight patients with liver disease results in a sustained improvement in liver enzymes, serum insulin levels, and quality of life. Treatment of overweight patients should form an important component of the management of those with chronic liver disease.T he prevalence of obesity and overweight has risen at an alarming rate over the past 20 years.1 In addition to increasing the risk of the development of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, excess body weight also has an adverse effect on the liver. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly recognised condition that is often seen in patients who are overweight or diabetic or in those with the insulin resistance syndrome.2 It encompasses a wide spectrum of liver pathology, ranging from steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. 3 In patients with NAFLD, the clinical risk factors that are associated with liver injury include elevated body mass index (BMI), visceral adiposity (increased waist circumference), presence of type 2 diabetes, and systemic hypertension. Obesity is also recognised as an independent risk factor for the progression of fibrosis in other chronic liver diseases. 6 A number of studies have now demonstrated an association between increased BMI or visceral adiposity and hepatic steatosis 7 and fibrosis 8 in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). In overweight patients with chronic HCV, we recently demonstrated an association between increasing insulin levels and increasing hepatic fibrosis, suggesting that host metabolic facto...

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Aim:  To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in Queensland public acute and residential aged care facilities, and explore effects of variables associated with malnutrition in these populations. Methods:  A multicentre, cross‐sectional audit of a convenience sample of subjects was carried out as part of a larger audit of pressure ulcers in Queensland public acute and residential aged care facilities in 2002 and again in 2003. Dietitians in 20 hospitals and six aged care facilities conducted single‐day nutritional status audits of 2208 acute and 839 aged care subjects using the Subjective Global Assessment, in either or both audits. Subjects excluded were obstetric, same‐day, paediatric and mental health patients. Weighted average proportions of nutritional status categories for acute and residential aged care facilities across the two audits were determined and compared. The effects of gender, age, facility location and medical specialty on malnutrition were determined via logistic regression. Results:  A mean of 34.7 ± 4.0% and 31.4 ± 9.5% of acute subjects and a median of 50.0% and 49.2% of residents of aged care facilities were found to be malnourished in Audits 1 and 2, respectively. Variables found to be significantly associated with an increased odds risk of malnutrition included: older age groups, male (in residential aged care facilities), metropolitan location of facility and medical specialty, in particular, oncology and critical care. Conclusion:  Malnutrition is significant in public acute and residential aged care facilities in Queensland. Action must be taken to increase the recognition, prevention and treatment of malnutrition especially in high‐risk groups.