Short-term effect of whey protein supplementation on the quality of life of patients waiting for liver transplantation : a double blinded randomized clinical trial.

Abstract
Background: Chronic liver disease is associated with malnutrition that negatively impacts a patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Aim: To evaluate the short-term effect of whey protein supplementation on the HRQoL and nutritional and functional status of patients waiting for liver transplantation. Methods: This was a double-blind randomized clinical trial with patients waiting for liver transplantation who were randomized into two groups: WP (whey protein supplementation) and the control (casein supplementation). Both groups received 40 g (20 g in the morning and 20 g in the evening) for 15 days. Nutritional and functional status were evaluated. Energy balance was calculated as the difference between energy intake (24-hour recall) and total energy expenditure (assessed by indirect calorimetry). The chronic liver disease questionnaire was used to assess HRQoL. All measurements were performed before and after the intervention. Results: Fifty-six patients were evaluated. Malnutrition was present in 56.9%, and it was directly associated with a poor HRQoL (p<0.05). No improvement on the nutritional and functional status was observed, in either group after protein supplementation. HRQoL improved after WP and casein supplementation, with no differences between groups (p>0.05). Patients who met protein requirements and had a positive energy balance demonstrated a higher HRQoL score (4.9, p<0.05), without between-group differences. Conclusion: Malnutrition substantially reduces HRQoL. Short-term WP or casein supplementation improved similarly the HRQoL.
Description
Keywords
Nutritional status
Citation
D’ALESSANDRO, M. C. de O. et al. Short-term effect of whey protein supplementation on the quality of life of patients waiting for liver transplantation: a double blinded randomized clinical trial. ABCD - Arquivos Brasileiros de Cirurgia Digestiva, v. 34, n. s, artigo e1596, 2021. Disponível em: <https://www.scielo.br/j/abcd/a/kbWK7FzqL44DX565prbvm9n/>. Acesso em: 11 out. 2022.