TITLE:
Correlation between Frailty and Nutrition, Psychological, and Physical Function in Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on the Liver Frailty Index
AUTHORS:
Na He, Huiping Lu, Zihui Zhou, Juan Wang
KEYWORDS:
Decompensated Cirrhosis, Frailty, Nutrition, Psychological, Somatic Function
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Nursing,
Vol.16 No.1,
January
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: This study investigates the relationship between frailty (assessed via the Liver Frailty Index), nutrition, negative emotions (depression and anxiety), and physical function in decompensated cirrhosis patients, aiming to provide scientific evidence for clinical treatment strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 477 decompensated cirrhosis patients. Data were collected using general information questionnaires, the 2002 Nutrition Risk Screening Scale, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, the Daily Living Activity Rating Scale, the Morse Fall Risk Assessment Scale, and the Liver Frailty Index. A binary logistic regression model was employed to analyze the associations between frailty and nutritional status, negative emotions, and physical function. Results: The prevalence of frailty in cirrhosis patients was 21.38%. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with frailty showed significantly worse outcomes in age, gender, nutritional indicators (body mass index, potassium ion, prealbumin, albumin, hemoglobin), fall risk, activity capacity, nutritional risk, depression and anxiety scores, as well as complications (ascites, bleeding) compared to those without frailty. The binary logistic regression analysis further identified depression scores (OR = 1.03) and hemoglobin levels (OR = 0.98) as independent factors contributing to increased frailty. Higher depression scores were associated with significantly elevated risks of frailty. The lower the hemoglobin level, the greater the patient’s frailty index. Additionally, aging, elevated Morse fall risk score, and decreased ADL (Activities of Daily Living) scores have been confirmed as independent correlates of frailty. Conclusion: Frailty in decompensated cirrhosis patients is significantly associated with advanced age, depressive mood, nutritional anemia, high fall risk, and reduced baseline mobility. Therefore, clinical interventions should extend beyond conventional liver disease management by integrating psychological support (particularly for depression), targeted nutritional interventions (to correct anemia), fall prevention strategies, and functional rehabilitation exercises. This multidimensional approach aims to delay or reverse frailty progression and improve overall patient outcomes.