An innovative study led by the Digestive Pathology Service of Hospital de Sant Pau, in collaboration with other services and institutions, has revealed that a combination of home exercise, branched-chain amino acids, and probiotics can significantly improve frailty in patients with cirrhosis. Published in the prestigious journal Hepatology Communications, this study opens new perspectives for people suffering from this complex liver disease.
The researchers, including professionals from the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pharmacy, and Biochemistry Services, the Sant Pau Research Institute, and the Sant Pau University School of Nursing, focused on frailty, a critical factor that predicts hospitalizations, falls, and mortality in patients with cirrhosis, regardless of the degree of liver insufficiency.
During the study, which involved 32 outpatient cirrhosis patients, they were classified as frail or pre-frail according to the Hepatic Frailty Index. These patients were divided into two groups: an intervention group that followed a home exercise program, branched-chain amino acid supplements, and multi-species probiotics for twelve months, and a control group that received standard care.
The results were very promising, as the patients in the intervention group showed a significant improvement in their frailty, with a notable reduction in Hepatic Frailty Index scores over the year. Additionally, this long-term non-pharmacological intervention also reduced the incidence of falls and emergency room visits.
These findings highlight the importance of a holistic approach in the treatment of cirrhosis, demonstrating that simple and accessible interventions can have a significant impact on health outcomes and patients’ quality of life.
As a direct result of the benefits observed in the study, a new care program has been launched this week at Hospital de Sant Pau. This program combines home exercise through a mobile application and the use of branched-chain amino acids, aiming to improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with cirrhosis. The Digestive Pathology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Pharmacy Services of the hospital are responsible for this initiative.
This program marks an important step towards implementing new treatment strategies that could benefit an increasing number of cirrhosis patients, highlighting the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in improving their health and well-being.
