SarcopeniaMMUSCLENCT06345547
Muscle Mass Via UltraSound in Cirrhosis (MMUSCLE)
An observational study of Sarcopenia and Cirrhosis, run by University Hospital, Antwerp at 1 site in Belgium.
Trial summary
The goal of this observational cohort study is to learn about loss of muscle mass and muscle strength (sarcopenia) in patients with cirrhosis. The main question[s] it aims to answer are: what is the prevalence and development of sarcopenia in cirrhosis? what is the role of malnutrition? Participants will undergo a… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Sarcopenia, Cirrhosis, Malnutrition
- What is being tested?
- ultrasound
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteBelgium
- Study dates
- 6 May 2024to 31 Mar 2028
- How long will I take part?
- 2 Years
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: From our large population we will prospectively evaluate 60 patients with all 3 muscle parameters (US m quadriceps, US m thenar and hand grip strength). This will allow to calculate the incidence rate and relative risk of sarcopenia presence in this population. To keep the population homogeneous we will include patients according to the Child-Pugh classification with a balanced distribution between the subclasses.
Who may be able to join
- diagnosis of cirrhosis and follow-up in the University Hospital of Antwerp
Who cannot join
- known patient will against participation in the study or against the measures applied in the study
- a decision made prior to inclusion to stop further treatment of the patient within the next 24 hours
- no complete remission of malignancy including hepatocellular carcinoma within the past 12 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Stany Perkisas, MD, PhD contact
Belgium1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University Hospital Antwerp
Edegem, Antwerpen, 2650
Karolien Dams, MD, +3238213635 ext. 5175, karolien.dams@uza.be
Jolien Derdeyn, MD, +328213807 ext. 3807, jolien.derdeyn@uza.be
About this study
Official title: Prospective Observational Cohort Survey to Assess the Prevalence and Development of Sarcopenia and the Correlation of Muscle Mass and Outcome in Patients With Cirrhosis by Skeletal Muscle Ultrasound.
The goal of this observational cohort study is to learn about loss of muscle mass and muscle strength (sarcopenia) in patients with cirrhosis. The main question[s] it aims to answer are:
- what is the prevalence and development of sarcopenia in cirrhosis?
- what is the role of malnutrition? Participants will
- undergo a muscle ultrasound of the lower and upper limb muscles
- handgrip strength will be measured
- malnutrition screening and assessment
- complete a questionnaire to assess quality of life
Read the detailed description
In this study, the investigators will assess the prevalence and development of sarcopenia in the large in- and outpatient population with cirrhosis (n= 1346) of the University Hospital of Antwerp, using ultrasound assessment of muscle mass and quality in the lower as well as the upper limb muscles. Handgrip strength will be tested for muscle functional status. Findings will be correlated with clinical outcome (MELD, survival, decompensating events). The etiology of the cirrhosis and its underlying activity will be taken into account as dependent variables, e.g. whether there is a difference between compensated vs. decompensated cirrhosis. The investigators will screen for malnutrition using the RFH-NPT and compare with the GLIM criteria. The effect of sarcopenia on the quality of life will be evaluated using the validated "SarQoL®" (Sarcopenia Quality of Life) questionnaire.
- Conditions
- Sarcopenia, Cirrhosis, Malnutrition
- Being tested
- ultrasound
- Keywords
- sarcopenia, cirrhosis, malnutrition, skeletal muscle ultrasound
- Medical subject headings
- Sarcopenia, Fibrosis, Malnutrition
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ultrasoundOther
Also called hand grip strength
Ultrasound of m. quadriceps and m. thenar All ultrasound measurements will be performed in triplicate, with the average of the scores used in final analyses. Four parameters will be evaluated: muscle thickness, muscle cross sectional area, pennation angle and echo intensity (gain, depth and frequency will be kept constant).
Hand grip strength measurement: measurement by an electronic hand dynamometer DynEx1TM (MD Systems, Inc. Ohio, USA). The recommendations for the handgrip strength test of the American Society of Hand Therapists will be followed: The maximum of the three values will be considered for analysis.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Child A | The impact of sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis may also be influenced by sex, severity of hepatic dysfunction, and etiology of cirrhosis. For this reason we aim for an homogeneous population, with a balanced distribution over the Child Pugh classification with a homogeneous population of at least 50%.
Child A patients still have a good hepatic function. Receives: Other: ultrasound | |
| Child B | Child B patients have a moderately impaired hepatic function. Receives: Other: ultrasound | |
| Child C | Patients with Child C have an advanced hepatic dysfunction, within this group we will also look at patients with acute on chronic liver failure.(ACLF) Receives: Other: ultrasound |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Prevalence of sarcopenia: muscle mass
Number of patients with prevalent sarcopenia. This will be assessed by skeletal muscle ultrasound (muscle thickness expressed in cm).
Sarcopenia has been defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia as "a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, disability, and mortality," combining both muscle mass and muscle strength or muscle performance in its definition. This first outcome measure defines muscle mass.
Measured: baseline
Prevalence of sarcopenia: muscle strength
Number of patients with prevalent sarcopenia. This will be assessed by handgrip strength (expressed in kg).
Sarcopenia has been defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia as "a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, disability, and mortality," combining both muscle mass and muscle strength or muscle performance in its definition.
As the definition contains both muscle mass and muscle strength, both factors have to be evaluated. This second outcome measure defines muscle strength.
Measured: baseline
Development of sarcopenia: changes in muscle mass
Changes in muscle mass by ultrasound muscle parameters from baseline up to 2 years follow-up. We will evaluate the muscle parameters that define muscle mass: muscle thickness expressed in cm, cross sectional area in squared cm, pennation angle in degrees and echo intensity expressed in arbitrary units (A.U.)
Measured: 2 years
Development of sarcopenia: changes in muscle strength
This will be assessed by handgrip strength (expressed in kg). Sarcopenia has been defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia as "a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, disability, and mortality," combining both muscle mass and muscle strength or muscle performance in its definition.
As the definition contains both muscle mass and muscle strength, both factors have to be evaluated.
Measured: 2 years
Development of sarcopenia: changes in muscle quality
Changes in muscle mass by ultrasound muscle parameters from baseline up to 2 years follow-up. We will evaluate the muscle parameters that define quality of muscle: pennation angle in degrees and echo intensity expressed in arbitrary units (A.U.)
Measured: 2 years
Secondary outcomes (5)
Decompensation events: MELD score • MELD evolution
clinical evolution of cirrhosis: MELD (Model of Endstage Liver Disease) score in points (range 7-40), with a higher score defining a worse state.
Measured: 2 years
Decompensation events: mortality • MELD evolution
clinical evolution of cirrhosis: Mortality 1 year after enrolment (Y/N)
Measured: 2 years
Decompensation events: transplantation • MELD evolution
clinical evolution of cirrhosis: Need for transplantation/transplant outcome (Y/N)
Measured: 2 years
Malnutrition
The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism guidelines recommend the Royal Free Hospital-Nutritional Prioritizing Tool (RFH-NPT) to identify malnutrition risk in patients with liver disease. The RFH-NPT categorises nutritional risk as low (0 points), medium (1 points) and high (2-7 points).
The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) has established a global consensus on the criteria for diagnosing malnutrition in adults in hospital settings. It is a two-step approach for the malnutrition diagnosis, i.e., first screening to identify "at risk" status by the use of any validated screening tool, and second, assessment for diagnosis and grading the severity of malnutrition; mild - moderate - severe.
Measured: 2 years
Quality of life in cirrhosis
The effect of sarcopenia on the quality of life will be evaluated using the validated SarQoL® questionnaire.
Measured: 2 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Apr 2024
- Study start6 May 2024
- Primary completion30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Mar 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (14)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for SarcopeniaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University Hospital, AntwerpThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Target duration
- 2 Years
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Antwerp
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Karolien Dams, University Hospital, Antwerp
- Investigators
- Karolien Dams, MD, Principal investigator, University Hospital, Antwerp
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06345547
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- EDGE 003539
- Acronym
- MMUSCLE
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 14 Mar 2024
- Last updated
- 1 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in the article, after deidentification (text, table, figures, appendices).
Publications
Dhaliwal A, Armstrong MJ. Sarcopenia in cirrhosis: A practical overview. Clin Med (Lond). 2020 Sep;20(5):489-492. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2020-0089.
PubMed 32934043Lai JC, Tandon P, Bernal W, Tapper EB, Ekong U, Dasarathy S, Carey EJ. Malnutrition, Frailty, and Sarcopenia in Patients With Cirrhosis: 2021 Practice Guidance by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2021 Sep;74(3):1611-1644. doi: 10.1002/hep.32049. No abstract available.
PubMed 34233031Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyere O, Cederholm T, Cooper C, Landi F, Rolland Y, Sayer AA, Schneider SM, Sieber CC, Topinkova E, Vandewoude M, Visser M, Zamboni M; Writing Group for the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2), and the Extended Group for EWGSOP2. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019 Jul 1;48(4):601. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afz046. No abstract available.
PubMed 31081853Hsu CS, Kao JH. Sarcopenia and chronic liver diseases. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Dec;12(12):1229-1244. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2018.1534586. Epub 2018 Oct 16.
PubMed 30791794Carey EJ, Lai JC, Sonnenday C, Tapper EB, Tandon P, Duarte-Rojo A, Dunn MA, Tsien C, Kallwitz ER, Ng V, Dasarathy S, Kappus M, Bashir MR, Montano-Loza AJ. A North American Expert Opinion Statement on Sarcopenia in Liver Transplantation. Hepatology. 2019 Nov;70(5):1816-1829. doi: 10.1002/hep.30828. Epub 2019 Aug 19.
PubMed 31220351Tandon P, Low G, Mourtzakis M, Zenith L, Myers RP, Abraldes JG, Shaheen AA, Qamar H, Mansoor N, Carbonneau M, Ismond K, Mann S, Alaboudy A, Ma M. A Model to Identify Sarcopenia in Patients With Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Oct;14(10):1473-1480.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2016.04.040. Epub 2016 May 14.
PubMed 27189915Watanabe Y, Yamada Y, Fukumoto Y, Ishihara T, Yokoyama K, Yoshida T, Miyake M, Yamagata E, Kimura M. Echo intensity obtained from ultrasonography images reflecting muscle strength in elderly men. Clin Interv Aging. 2013;8:993-8. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S47263. Epub 2013 Jul 25.
PubMed 23926426Perkisas S, Baudry S, Bauer J, Beckwee D, De Cock AM, Hobbelen H, Jager-Wittenaar H, Kasiukiewicz A, Landi F, Marco E, Merello A, Piotrowicz K, Sanchez E, Sanchez-Rodriguez D, Scafoglieri A, Cruz-Jentoft A, Vandewoude M. Application of ultrasound for muscle assessment in sarcopenia: towards standardized measurements. Eur Geriatr Med. 2018 Dec;9(6):739-757. doi: 10.1007/s41999-018-0104-9. Epub 2018 Sep 17.
PubMed 34674473Stock MS, Thompson BJ. Echo intensity as an indicator of skeletal muscle quality: applications, methodology, and future directions. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021 Feb;121(2):369-380. doi: 10.1007/s00421-020-04556-6. Epub 2020 Nov 21.
PubMed 33221942Iacob S, Mina V, Mandea M, Iacob R, Vadan R, Boar V, Ionescu G, Buzescu D, Gheorghe C, Gheorghe L. Assessment of Sarcopenia Related Quality of Life Using SarQoL(R) Questionnaire in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis. Front Nutr. 2022 Feb 25;9:774044. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.774044. eCollection 2022.
PubMed 35284449Perkisas S, Bastijns S, Baudry S, Bauer J, Beaudart C, Beckwee D, Cruz-Jentoft A, Gasowski J, Hobbelen H, Jager-Wittenaar H, Kasiukiewicz A, Landi F, Malek M, Marco E, Martone AM, de Miguel AM, Piotrowicz K, Sanchez E, Sanchez-Rodriguez D, Scafoglieri A, Vandewoude M, Verhoeven V, Wojszel ZB, De Cock AM. Application of ultrasound for muscle assessment in sarcopenia: 2020 SARCUS update. Eur Geriatr Med. 2021 Feb;12(1):45-59. doi: 10.1007/s41999-020-00433-9. Epub 2021 Jan 2.
PubMed 33387359Misirlioglu TO, Ozyemisci Taskiran O. Reliability of sonographic muscle thickness measurements of the thenar and hypothenar muscles. Muscle Nerve. 2018 Jan;57(1):E14-E17. doi: 10.1002/mus.25735. Epub 2017 Jul 18.
PubMed 28662294Pedrianes-Martin PB, Hernanz-Rodriguez GM, Gonzalez-Martin JM, Perez-Valera M, De Pablos-Velasco PL. Ultrasonographic Size of the Thenar Muscles of the Nondominant Hand Correlates with Total Body Lean Mass in Healthy Subjects. Acad Radiol. 2021 Apr;28(4):517-523. doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2020.02.029. Epub 2020 Jul 30.
PubMed 32739076Lopes J, Grams ST, da Silva EF, de Medeiros LA, de Brito CMM, Yamaguti WP. Reference equations for handgrip strength: Normative values in young adult and middle-aged subjects. Clin Nutr. 2018 Jun;37(3):914-918. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.03.018. Epub 2017 Mar 24.
PubMed 28389120
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prospective Observational Cohort Survey to Assess the Prevalence and Development of Sarcopenia and the Correlation of Muscle Mass and Outcome in Patients With Cirrhosis by Skeletal Muscle Ultrasound.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06345547
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MMUSCLE / EDGE 003539
- Conditions
- Sarcopenia, Cirrhosis, Malnutrition
- Keywords
- sarcopenia, cirrhosis, malnutrition, skeletal muscle ultrasound
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, AntwerpUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 6 May 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Mar 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this observational cohort study is to learn about loss of muscle mass and muscle strength (sarcopenia) in patients with cirrhosis. The main question[s] it aims to answer are:
- what is the prevalence and development of sarcopenia in cirrhosis?
- what is the role of malnutrition? Participants will
- undergo a muscle ultrasound of the lower and upper limb muscles
- handgrip strength will be measured
- malnutrition screening and assessment
- complete a questionnaire to assess quality of life
Detailed description
In this study, the investigators will assess the prevalence and development of sarcopenia in the large in- and outpatient population with cirrhosis (n= 1346) of the University Hospital of Antwerp, using ultrasound assessment of muscle mass and quality in the lower as well as the upper limb muscles. Handgrip strength will be tested for muscle functional status. Findings will be correlated with clinical outcome (MELD, survival, decompensating events). The etiology of the cirrhosis and its underlying activity will be taken into account as dependent variables, e.g. whether there is a difference between compensated vs. decompensated cirrhosis. The investigators will screen for malnutrition using the RFH-NPT and compare with the GLIM criteria. The effect of sarcopenia on the quality of life will be evaluated using the validated "SarQoL®" (Sarcopenia Quality of Life) questionnaire.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Target follow-up
- 2 Years
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Child A | – | Other: ultrasoundThe impact of sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis may also be influenced by sex, severity of hepatic dysfunction, and etiology of cirrhosis. For this reason we aim for an homogeneous population, with a balanced distribution over the Child Pugh classification with a homogeneous population of at least 50%. Child A patients still have a good hepatic function. |
| Child B | – | Other: ultrasoundChild B patients have a moderately impaired hepatic function. |
| Child C | – | Other: ultrasoundPatients with Child C have an advanced hepatic dysfunction, within this group we will also look at patients with acute on chronic liver failure.(ACLF) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- From our large population we will prospectively evaluate 60 patients with all 3 muscle parameters (US m quadriceps, US m thenar and hand grip strength). This will allow to calculate the incidence rate and relative risk of sarcopenia presence in this population. To keep the population homogeneous we will include patients according to the Child-Pugh classification with a balanced distribution between the subclasses.
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- diagnosis of cirrhosis and follow-up in the University Hospital of Antwerp
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- known patient will against participation in the study or against the measures applied in the study
- a decision made prior to inclusion to stop further treatment of the patient within the next 24 hours
- no complete remission of malignancy including hepatocellular carcinoma within the past 12 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| ultrasoundAlso: hand grip strengthUltrasound of m. quadriceps and m. thenar All ultrasound measurements will be performed in triplicate, with the average of the scores used in final analyses. Four parameters will be evaluated: muscle thickness, muscle cross sectional area, pennation angle and echo intensity (gain, depth and frequency will be kept constant). Hand grip strength measurement: measurement by an electronic hand dynamometer DynEx1TM (MD Systems, Inc. Ohio, USA). The recommendations for the handgrip strength test of the American Society of Hand Therapists will be followed: The maximum of the three values will be considered for analysis. | Other | Child A, Child B, Child C |
Primary outcome
Prevalence of sarcopenia: muscle mass
Time frame: baseline
Number of patients with prevalent sarcopenia. This will be assessed by skeletal muscle ultrasound (muscle thickness expressed in cm). Sarcopenia has been defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia as "a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, disability, and mortality," combining both muscle mass and muscle strength or muscle performance in its definition. This first outcome measure defines muscle mass.
Prevalence of sarcopenia: muscle strength
Time frame: baseline
Number of patients with prevalent sarcopenia. This will be assessed by handgrip strength (expressed in kg). Sarcopenia has been defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia as "a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, disability, and mortality," combining both muscle mass and muscle strength or muscle performance in its definition. As the definition contains both muscle mass and muscle strength, both factors have to be evaluated. This second outcome measure defines muscle strength.
Development of sarcopenia: changes in muscle mass
Time frame: 2 years
Changes in muscle mass by ultrasound muscle parameters from baseline up to 2 years follow-up. We will evaluate the muscle parameters that define muscle mass: muscle thickness expressed in cm, cross sectional area in squared cm, pennation angle in degrees and echo intensity expressed in arbitrary units (A.U.)
Development of sarcopenia: changes in muscle strength
Time frame: 2 years
This will be assessed by handgrip strength (expressed in kg). Sarcopenia has been defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia as "a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, disability, and mortality," combining both muscle mass and muscle strength or muscle performance in its definition. As the definition contains both muscle mass and muscle strength, both factors have to be evaluated.
Development of sarcopenia: changes in muscle quality
Time frame: 2 years
Changes in muscle mass by ultrasound muscle parameters from baseline up to 2 years follow-up. We will evaluate the muscle parameters that define quality of muscle: pennation angle in degrees and echo intensity expressed in arbitrary units (A.U.)
5 secondary outcomes
Decompensation events: MELD score • MELD evolution
Time frame: 2 years
Decompensation events: mortality • MELD evolution
Time frame: 2 years
Decompensation events: transplantation • MELD evolution
Time frame: 2 years
Malnutrition
Time frame: 2 years
Quality of life in cirrhosis
Time frame: 2 years
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 32934043Dhaliwal A, Armstrong MJ. Sarcopenia in cirrhosis: A practical overview. Clin Med (Lond). 2020 Sep;20(5):489-492. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2020-0089.
- Background: PubMed 34233031Lai JC, Tandon P, Bernal W, Tapper EB, Ekong U, Dasarathy S, Carey EJ. Malnutrition, Frailty, and Sarcopenia in Patients With Cirrhosis: 2021 Practice Guidance by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2021 Sep;74(3):1611-1644. doi: 10.1002/hep.32049. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 31081853Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyere O, Cederholm T, Cooper C, Landi F, Rolland Y, Sayer AA, Schneider SM, Sieber CC, Topinkova E, Vandewoude M, Visser M, Zamboni M; Writing Group for the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2), and the Extended Group for EWGSOP2. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019 Jul 1;48(4):601. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afz046. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 30791794Hsu CS, Kao JH. Sarcopenia and chronic liver diseases. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Dec;12(12):1229-1244. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2018.1534586. Epub 2018 Oct 16.
- Background: PubMed 31220351Carey EJ, Lai JC, Sonnenday C, Tapper EB, Tandon P, Duarte-Rojo A, Dunn MA, Tsien C, Kallwitz ER, Ng V, Dasarathy S, Kappus M, Bashir MR, Montano-Loza AJ. A North American Expert Opinion Statement on Sarcopenia in Liver Transplantation. Hepatology. 2019 Nov;70(5):1816-1829. doi: 10.1002/hep.30828. Epub 2019 Aug 19.
- Background: PubMed 27189915Tandon P, Low G, Mourtzakis M, Zenith L, Myers RP, Abraldes JG, Shaheen AA, Qamar H, Mansoor N, Carbonneau M, Ismond K, Mann S, Alaboudy A, Ma M. A Model to Identify Sarcopenia in Patients With Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Oct;14(10):1473-1480.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2016.04.040. Epub 2016 May 14.
- Background: PubMed 23926426Watanabe Y, Yamada Y, Fukumoto Y, Ishihara T, Yokoyama K, Yoshida T, Miyake M, Yamagata E, Kimura M. Echo intensity obtained from ultrasonography images reflecting muscle strength in elderly men. Clin Interv Aging. 2013;8:993-8. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S47263. Epub 2013 Jul 25.
- Background: PubMed 34674473Perkisas S, Baudry S, Bauer J, Beckwee D, De Cock AM, Hobbelen H, Jager-Wittenaar H, Kasiukiewicz A, Landi F, Marco E, Merello A, Piotrowicz K, Sanchez E, Sanchez-Rodriguez D, Scafoglieri A, Cruz-Jentoft A, Vandewoude M. Application of ultrasound for muscle assessment in sarcopenia: towards standardized measurements. Eur Geriatr Med. 2018 Dec;9(6):739-757. doi: 10.1007/s41999-018-0104-9. Epub 2018 Sep 17.
- Background: PubMed 33221942Stock MS, Thompson BJ. Echo intensity as an indicator of skeletal muscle quality: applications, methodology, and future directions. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021 Feb;121(2):369-380. doi: 10.1007/s00421-020-04556-6. Epub 2020 Nov 21.
- Background: PubMed 35284449Iacob S, Mina V, Mandea M, Iacob R, Vadan R, Boar V, Ionescu G, Buzescu D, Gheorghe C, Gheorghe L. Assessment of Sarcopenia Related Quality of Life Using SarQoL(R) Questionnaire in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis. Front Nutr. 2022 Feb 25;9:774044. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.774044. eCollection 2022.
- Background: PubMed 33387359Perkisas S, Bastijns S, Baudry S, Bauer J, Beaudart C, Beckwee D, Cruz-Jentoft A, Gasowski J, Hobbelen H, Jager-Wittenaar H, Kasiukiewicz A, Landi F, Malek M, Marco E, Martone AM, de Miguel AM, Piotrowicz K, Sanchez E, Sanchez-Rodriguez D, Scafoglieri A, Vandewoude M, Verhoeven V, Wojszel ZB, De Cock AM. Application of ultrasound for muscle assessment in sarcopenia: 2020 SARCUS update. Eur Geriatr Med. 2021 Feb;12(1):45-59. doi: 10.1007/s41999-020-00433-9. Epub 2021 Jan 2.
- Background: PubMed 28662294Misirlioglu TO, Ozyemisci Taskiran O. Reliability of sonographic muscle thickness measurements of the thenar and hypothenar muscles. Muscle Nerve. 2018 Jan;57(1):E14-E17. doi: 10.1002/mus.25735. Epub 2017 Jul 18.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in the article, after deidentification (text, table, figures, appendices).
Related trials for Sarcopenia
Enrolling by invitation
Online Exercise Program for Transplant Patients: A Pilot Study
Kidney Transplantation, Physical Function
Not yet recruitingPhase 2
A Study of Bimagrumab in Participants With HFpEF
Heart Failure, Diastolic, Diastolic Heart Failure
Not yet recruiting
The Aim of the Study is to Decipher the Alterations in Signalling Pathways of Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells (Satellite Cells (SCs)) in Individuals With COPD, as Well as to Examine the Effect of Exercise Training on SCs.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Sarcopenia in Elderly
Not yet recruitingPhase 2
MF-300 for Treatment of Age-Related Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia in Elderly
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Validation of Uzbek SARC-F and IPAQ-SF Questionnaires in Adults With and Without Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, Psychometrics
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Stany Perkisas, MD, PhD contact
Karolien Dams, MD principal investigator
University Hospital, Antwerp
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Sarcopenia and Cirrhosis, run by University Hospital, Antwerp at 1 site in Belgium.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Belgium. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Karolien Dams, MD (+3238213635 ext. 5175, karolien.dams@uza.be), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Prevalence of sarcopenia: muscle mass (time frame: baseline). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06345547, which also lists 14 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 May 2026.