Malnutrition Exacerbates COVID-19 Outcomes in Hospitalized Liver Cirrhosis Patients

Strategic Insights -

A study published in Cureus has highlighted the significance of addressing the nutritional status of COVID-19 patients with liver cirrhosis, as malnutrition has been found to increase in-hospital mortality rate and other adverse outcomes. Researchers analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample database and found that among 5,192 liver cirrhosis patients with COVID-19, 11.5% were malnourished. Malnourished patients had a higher prevalence of hyponatremia, chronic kidney disease, and less likely to have hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and diabetes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Malnutrition affects 11.5% of hospitalized liver cirrhosis patients with COVID-19, according to the study.
  • Malnourished patients had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate (28.5%) compared to non-malnourished patients (18.2%).
  • Malnourished patients were more likely to have hyponatremia (36.2% vs. 26.1%) and chronic kidney disease (24.4% vs. 20.2%).
  • Malnourished patients were less likely to have hypertension (24.9% vs. 32.3%), hyperlipidemia (23.5% vs. 31.3%), obesity (12.5% vs. 22.0%), and diabetes (8.8% vs. 15.6%).
  • The study emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary management in addressing the nutritional status of COVID-19 patients with liver cirrhosis.

Statistics:

  • 5,192 liver cirrhosis patients with COVID-19 were analyzed in the study.
  • 599 (11.5%) of the patients were malnourished.
  • In-hospital mortality rate among malnourished patients was 28.5%, compared to 18.2% among non-malnourished patients.
  • 36.2% of malnourished patients had hyponatremia, compared to 26.1% of non-malnourished patients.
  • 24.4% of malnourished patients had chronic kidney disease, compared to 20.2% of non-malnourished patients.

Sources:

  • Outcomes of Hospitalized Liver Cirrhosis Patients With COVID-19 Infection: A Retrospective Analysis. Cureus, 2025;17(9).
  • Researchers at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Target COVID-19 (Outcomes of Hospitalized Liver Cirrhosis Patients With COVID-19 Infection: A Retrospective Analysis). Obesity & Diabetes Week. October 20, 2025; p 199.