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Ultrasound Assessment of Diaphragmatic Structure and Function in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: A Point-of-Care Tool for Predicting Complications and Sarcopenia in Limited Resource Settings

19 de junho de 2026 atualizado por: Nada Refaat Mohamed Abdelshafy Samasiri, Assiut University

The goal of this observational study is to learn how liver cirrhosis affects the diaphragm, the main muscle used for breathing, in adults. The study will measure diaphragmatic thickness, thickening fraction, and excursion using bedside ultrasound and compare these values between patients with cirrhosis and healthy volunteers. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Do patients with cirrhosis show reduced diaphragmatic function compared to healthy adults?

Does removal of ascitic fluid by paracentesis improve diaphragmatic mechanics?

Can ultrasound measurements of the diaphragm serve as a reliable non-invasive marker of sarcopenia when compared to CT scans?

Participants will:

Undergo diaphragmatic ultrasound during quiet and deep breathing

Provide clinical and laboratory data related to liver disease severity

In some cases, have ultrasound repeated before and after paracentesis

For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, CT scans will be analyzed to measure muscle mass

Visão geral do estudo

Status

Ainda não está recrutando

Condições

Descrição detalhada

This study is a prospective observational cohort designed to evaluate diaphragmatic structure and function in adults with liver cirrhosis. Using bedside ultrasound, the study will measure diaphragmatic thickness, thickening fraction, and excursion, and compare these values across different stages of liver disease severity and complications such as ascites, hepatic hydrothorax, and hepatocellular carcinoma. A subgroup of patients undergoing large-volume paracentesis will have ultrasound assessments before and after fluid removal to determine the acute impact of ascites drainage on diaphragmatic mechanics. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, existing CT scans will be analyzed to calculate skeletal muscle index, allowing correlation between ultrasound parameters and sarcopenia. Healthy volunteers will serve as a reference group for establishing normative values. Clinical and laboratory data, respiratory outcomes, and hospitalization details will also be collected to explore associations between diaphragmatic dysfunction and patient prognosis. The study aims to validate diaphragmatic ultrasound as a simple, non-invasive tool for respiratory monitoring and sarcopenia assessment in cirrhosis, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Tipo de estudo

Observacional

Inscrição (Estimado)

120

Contactos e Locais

Esta seção fornece os detalhes de contato para aqueles que conduzem o estudo e informações sobre onde este estudo está sendo realizado.

Contato de estudo

Nome: Nada Refaat Mohamed, MD
Número de telefone: +201019860918
E-mail: nadarefaat411@gmail.com

Estude backup de contato

Nome: Mohamed Abdelghany Abdelhamed
Número de telefone: +201112828724
E-mail: Moh7111@aun.edu.eg

Critérios de participação

Os pesquisadores procuram pessoas que se encaixem em uma determinada descrição, chamada de critérios de elegibilidade. Alguns exemplos desses critérios são a condição geral de saúde de uma pessoa ou tratamentos anteriores.

Critérios de elegibilidade

Idades elegíveis para estudo

Adulto
Adulto mais velho

Aceita Voluntários Saudáveis

Sim

Método de amostragem

Amostra Não Probabilística

População do estudo

Adults (≥18 years of age) with confirmed diagnosis of liver cirrhosis attending the hepatology outpatient clinic or admitted to the hepatology inpatient unit of the study institution.

Study Subgroups The total study sample will consist of 120 participants, including 95 patients with liver cirrhosis and 25 healthy controls. The cirrhotic cohort will include patients across different Child-Pugh classes and MELD scores and will encompass clinically relevant subgroups such as patients with ascites undergoing paracentesis, hepatic hydrothorax, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Subgroup A: Ascites/Paracentesis (n=30): Patients with tense or refractory ascites for whom large-volume paracentesis is clinically indicated. This subgroup will contribute both cross-sectional and longitudinal (pre/post paracentesis) data.
Subgroup B: Hepatic Hydrothorax (n=40): Twenty patients with confirmed hepatic hydrothorax (HH; defined as pleural effusion >500 mL in the absence of primary cardiopulm

Descrição

Inclusion Criteria:

Age ≥18 years.
Confirmed diagnosis of liver cirrhosis based on clinical, biochemical, histological, or imaging criteria.
Ability to provide written informed consent in Arabic or English.
For Subgroup A: clinical indication for large-volume paracentesis with an ascitic volume of ≥5 liters.
For Subgroup B: confirmed hepatic hydrothorax or confirmed absence of pleural effusion on ultrasound or chest X-ray.
For Subgroup C: radiologically confirmed HCC by triphasic CT or MRI according to EASL/AASLD diagnostic criteria, with available CT imaging for L3 SMI analysis.

Exclusion Criteria:

Significant pre-existing primary pulmonary disease (e.g., moderate-to-severe COPD defined as FEV1/FVC <70% with FEV1 <60% predicted, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis) that independently affects diaphragmatic mechanics.
Recent thoracic surgery, thoracocentesis within the preceding 72 hours, or thoracic trauma.
Neuromuscular disease (e.g., myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome) independently affecting diaphragmatic function.
Active mechanical ventilation at time of enrollment.
Pregnancy.
Inability to achieve adequate ultrasound acoustic windows (e.g., due to extreme obesity or surgical dressings).
Contraindications to paracentesis in Subgroup A (e.g., disseminated intravascular coagulation, bowel obstruction).
Prior or planned liver transplantation within the study period, which would confound longitudinal follow-up.
Refusal or inability to provide informed consent.

Plano de estudo

Esta seção fornece detalhes do plano de estudo, incluindo como o estudo é projetado e o que o estudo está medindo.

Como o estudo é projetado?

Detalhes do projeto

Número de grupos/coortes

Coortes e Intervenções

Grupo / Coorte
Adults with Liver Cirrhosis This cohort includes adults diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, with subgroups defined by complications such as ascites, hepatic hydrothorax, and hepatocellular carcinoma. A subgroup undergoing paracentesis will be assessed before and after fluid removal to evaluate acute changes in diaphragmatic function. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, CT scans will be analyzed to calculate skeletal muscle index for correlation with ultrasound findings. A small number of healthy volunteers will also undergo diaphragmatic ultrasound to establish normative reference values; however, they are not considered a separate cohort for analysis.

Grupo / Coorte

Adults with Liver Cirrhosis

This cohort includes adults diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, with subgroups defined by complications such as ascites, hepatic hydrothorax, and hepatocellular carcinoma. A subgroup undergoing paracentesis will be assessed before and after fluid removal to evaluate acute changes in diaphragmatic function. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, CT scans will be analyzed to calculate skeletal muscle index for correlation with ultrasound findings. A small number of healthy volunteers will also undergo diaphragmatic ultrasound to establish normative reference values; however, they are not considered a separate cohort for analysis.

O que o estudo está medindo?

Medidas de resultados primários

Medida de resultado	Descrição da medida	Prazo
Diaphragmatic Thickness (Tdi-exp, Tdi-insp) [cm] Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Diaphragmatic thickness at end-expiration (Tdi-exp) and end-inspiration (Tdi-insp) measured by B-mode ultrasound.	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Diaphragmatic Thickening Fraction (TF) [%] Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Thickening fraction calculated as [(Tdi-insp - Tdi-exp) / Tdi-exp] × 100, measured by B-mode ultrasound.	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Diaphragmatic Excursion (DE) [cm] Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Amplitude of diaphragmatic displacement measured by M-mode ultrasound during quiet breathing.	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Group Differences in Diaphragmatic Thickness Across Cirrhosis Stages Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment)	Mean differences in diaphragmatic thickness (cm) between patients with Child-Pugh A, B, and C cirrhosis, and across MELD score strata. Unit of Measure: Mean difference (cm).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment)
Group Differences in Diaphragmatic Thickening Fraction Across Cirrhosis Stages Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Mean differences in diaphragmatic thickening fraction (%) between patients with Child-Pugh A, B, and C cirrhosis, and across MELD score strata. Unit of Measure: Mean difference (%).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Group Differences in Diaphragmatic Excursion Across Cirrhosis Stages Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Mean differences in diaphragmatic excursion (cm) between patients with Child-Pugh A, B, and C cirrhosis, and across MELD score strata. Unit of Measure: Mean difference (cm).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Correlation of Diaphragmatic Thickness with Disease Severity Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Correlation between diaphragmatic thickness (cm) and liver disease severity scores (Child-Pugh class, MELD score). Unit of Measure: Correlation coefficient (r).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Correlation of Diaphragmatic Thickening Fraction (TF) with Disease Severity Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Correlation between diaphragmatic thickening fraction (%) and liver disease severity scores (Child-Pugh class, MELD score). Unit of Measure: Correlation coefficient (r).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Correlation of Diaphragmatic Excursion (DE) with Disease Severity Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Correlation between diaphragmatic excursion (cm) and liver disease severity scores (Child-Pugh class, MELD score). Unit of Measure: Correlation coefficient (r).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).

Medidas de resultados secundários

Medida de resultado	Descrição da medida	Prazo
Correlation between diaphragmatic ultrasound parameters and skeletal muscle index (CT scans) Prazo: At baseline (single measurement)	In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, triphasic CT scans will be analyzed to calculate skeletal muscle index. These values will be correlated with diaphragmatic ultrasound parameters to assess the utility of ultrasound as a surrogate marker of sarcopenia.	At baseline (single measurement)
Change in Diaphragmatic Thickness After Paracentesis Prazo: Pre-paracentesis (Day 1, immediately before procedure) and within 60 minutes post-paracentesis.	Change in diaphragmatic thickness (cm) measured by B-mode ultrasound before and within 60 ± 15 minutes after large-volume paracentesis. Unit of Measure: Mean difference (cm).	Pre-paracentesis (Day 1, immediately before procedure) and within 60 minutes post-paracentesis.
Change in Diaphragmatic Thickening Fraction After Paracentesis Prazo: Pre-paracentesis (Day 1, immediately before procedure) and within 60 minutes post-paracentesis.	Change in diaphragmatic thickening fraction (%) measured by B-mode ultrasound before and within 60 ± 15 minutes after large-volume paracentesis. Unit of Measure: Mean difference (%).	Pre-paracentesis (Day 1, immediately before procedure) and within 60 minutes post-paracentesis.
Change in Diaphragmatic Excursion After Paracentesis Prazo: Pre-paracentesis (Day 1, immediately before procedure) and within 60 minutes post-paracentesis.	Change in diaphragmatic excursion (cm) measured by M-mode ultrasound before and within 60 ± 15 minutes after large-volume paracentesis. Unit of Measure: Mean difference (cm).	Pre-paracentesis (Day 1, immediately before procedure) and within 60 minutes post-paracentesis.
Diaphragmatic Thickness in Patients With vs. Without Hepatic Hydrothorax Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Comparison of mean diaphragmatic thickness (cm) between cirrhotic patients with hepatic hydrothorax and matched cirrhotic controls without hydrothorax. Unit of Measure: Mean difference (cm).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Diaphragmatic Thickening Fraction in Patients With vs. Without Hepatic Hydrothorax Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Comparison of mean diaphragmatic thickening fraction (%) between cirrhotic patients with hepatic hydrothorax and matched cirrhotic controls without hydrothorax. Unit of Measure: Mean difference (%).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Diaphragmatic Excursion in Patients With vs. Without Hepatic Hydrothorax Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Comparison of mean diaphragmatic excursion (cm) between cirrhotic patients with hepatic hydrothorax and matched cirrhotic controls without hydrothorax. Unit of Measure: Mean difference (cm).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Correlation of Diaphragmatic Dysfunction with Dyspnea Score Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Correlation between diaphragmatic dysfunction (defined by ultrasound parameters) and dyspnea severity measured by the mMRC scale (0-4). Unit of Measure: Correlation coefficient (r).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Correlation of Diaphragmatic Dysfunction with Respiratory Rate Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Correlation between diaphragmatic dysfunction and respiratory rate (breaths/min). Unit of Measure: Correlation coefficient (r).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Correlation of Diaphragmatic Dysfunction with Oxygen Saturation Prazo: Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).	Correlation between diaphragmatic dysfunction and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂, %). Unit of Measure: Correlation coefficient (r).	Baseline (Day 1, at enrollment).
Correlation of Diaphragmatic Dysfunction with Length of Hospital Stay Prazo: During hospitalization (up to 30 days).	Correlation between diaphragmatic dysfunction (defined by ultrasound parameters: thickness, thickening fraction, excursion) and length of hospital stay (days). Unit of Measure: Correlation coefficient (r).	During hospitalization (up to 30 days).
Correlation of Diaphragmatic Dysfunction with ICU Admission Prazo: During hospitalization (up to 30 days).	Correlation between diaphragmatic dysfunction and need for ICU admission. Unit of Measure: Odds ratio (% of patients requiring ICU admission).	During hospitalization (up to 30 days).
Correlation of Diaphragmatic Dysfunction with In-Hospital Complications Prazo: During hospitalization (up to 30 days).	Correlation between diaphragmatic dysfunction and occurrence of complications (e.g., respiratory failure, infection). Unit of Measure: Incidence (% of patients with complications).	During hospitalization (up to 30 days).

Colaboradores e Investigadores

É aqui que você encontrará pessoas e organizações envolvidas com este estudo.

Patrocinador

Assiut University

Investigadores

Investigador principal: Ahmed Helmy Salem, professor, Assiut University
Investigador principal: Maiada Kamal Eldeen Hashem, Assiut University

Publicações e links úteis

A pessoa responsável por inserir informações sobre o estudo fornece voluntariamente essas publicações. Estes podem ser sobre qualquer coisa relacionada ao estudo.

Publicações Gerais

Datas de registro do estudo

Essas datas acompanham o progresso do registro do estudo e os envios de resumo dos resultados para ClinicalTrials.gov. Os registros do estudo e os resultados relatados são revisados pela National Library of Medicine (NLM) para garantir que atendam aos padrões específicos de controle de qualidade antes de serem publicados no site público.

Datas Principais do Estudo

Início do estudo (Estimado)

10 de agosto de 2026

Conclusão Primária (Estimado)

10 de agosto de 2027

Conclusão do estudo (Estimado)

10 de dezembro de 2027

Datas de inscrição no estudo

Enviado pela primeira vez

16 de junho de 2026

Enviado pela primeira vez que atendeu aos critérios de CQ

19 de junho de 2026

Primeira postagem (Real)

25 de junho de 2026

Atualizações de registro de estudo

Última Atualização Postada (Real)