Abstract: Objective To analyze the anthropometric indicators and nutritional status of hospitalized cirrhotic patients for the early detection of nutritional risk or malnutrition. providing a basis for the formulation of nutritional treatment strategies. Methods A total of 164 patients with liver cirrhosis, hospitalized at a tertiary general hospital in Zunyi City from May 2022 to April 2023, were selected for this study. Nutritional risk was assessed within 48 hours of admission using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) scale. Based on this assessment, patients were divided into malnourished and non-malnourished groups. Measurements taken included upper arm circumference (UAC), upper arm muscle circumference (UAMC), tricep skinfold(TSF) thickness , handgrip strength (HGS), and body mass index (BMI), which was calculated from the patients' height and weight. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software. Results Among the 164 cirrhotic patients, 60 were found to have malnutrition, resulting in an incidence rate of 36.59%. Specifically, 12 cases (20%) were classified as Child-Pugh A, 27 cases (45%) as Child-Pugh B, and 21 cases (35%) as Child-Pugh C. In the compensated stage, 15 cases (25%) had malnutrition, whereas in the decompensated stage, 45 cases (75%) had malnutrition. Additionally, 24 patients(40.00%) with ascites were malnourished. Measurements of AC, AMC, TSF, and HGwere significantly lower in patients with nutritional risk compared to those without nutritional risk. Differences in BMI, AC, AMC, and HG between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence of nutritional risk in cirrhotic patients is high. Therefor, it is crucial to screen these patients for anthropometric indicators and nutritional risk as early stage. Early screening allows for the formulation of appropriate nutritional interventions, which can promote better prognosis and improve their overall condition.

Key words: cirrhosis, anthropometrics, nutritional risk, screening