Table 1.
Clinical outcomes of patients with cirrhosis and severe ascites
| Outcome | Medically tailored meals (n = 20) | Standard of care (n = 20) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of paracentesis (per person) | ||
| Week 0–1 | 0 (0–0) | 0 (0–1) |
| Week 1–2 | 0 (0–1) | 0 (0–1) |
| Week 2–4 | 0 (0–1) | 0.5 (0–1) |
| Week 4–8 | 1 (0–3) | 1 (0.25–2) |
| Week 8–12 | 1 (0–2) | 2 (0–2.75) |
| Per person-week | 0.34 (0.14–0.54) | 0.45 (0.25–0.64) |
| Change in VAS (higher better) | 43% (–12% to 99%) | 33% (0% to 66%) |
| Change in ASI-7 (lower better) | –25% (–61% to 11%) | –13% (–54% to 28%) |
| Change in handgrip (higher better) | 0% (–22% to 22%) | –9% (–30% to 11%) |
| Mortality | 2 (10%) | 4 (20%) |
| Transplantation | 1 (5%) | 0 (0%) |
| Hospital stay per person-week, days | 0.62 ± 1.20 | 1.04 ± 1.19 |
| Change in loop diuretics (furosemide-equivalent doses) | 11% (–27% to 49%) | 20% (–32% to 73%) |
| Change in aldosterone antagonists | 14% (–35% to 62%) | 30% (–52% to 112%) |
Data are presented as median (interquartile range), mean ± standard deviation, and n (%).
Changes compared week 12 end-of-trial values to baseline.
VAS, visual analogue scale; ASI-7, ascites symptom inventory-7.