Functional Assessment in Liver Transplantation

This study is looking at how physical function and frailty (a state of being vulnerable to poor health outcomes) affect people with end-stage liver disease, both before and after a liver transplant. Researchers will use tests like grip strength, chair stands, and balance, which make up the Liver Frailty Index (LFI), to measure these changes. They will also look at how frailty is connected to outcomes for patients. The study aims to understand how frailty changes over time for people receiving a liver transplant or other treatments. You can join if you are an adult (18 or older) being treated for liver disease. The study plans to enroll 5000 participants.

Study design
This is an observational study, meaning researchers will watch and collect information without giving any specific treatments. It plans to include 5000 participants.
What's involved
You will have geriatric assessments at each clinic visit before your transplant and for 12 months after, then annually. These assessments include cognitive tests, questionnaires, grip strength, chair stands, and balance tests. Some participants may also provide blood, urine, stool, or tissue samples during surgery.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
You will be followed annually after the first 12 months post-transplant.

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NCT03228290

Functional Assessment in Liver Transplantation

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18+Observational
University of California, San Francisco
~5,000 participants
Updated 2026-07-14 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
8 of 12 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Frailty and functional status as assessed by grip strength, chair stands, and balance which comprise the Liver Frailty Index (LFI).
Measured over December 31, 2023
+2 more outcomes measured
End Stage Liver Disease
12 sites across 11 states
California2
Arkansas1
Illinois1
Indiana1
Maryland1
Michigan1
New York1
North Carolina1
  • Jennifer C Lai, MD, MBA · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of California, San Francisco

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Adult (≥18 years old)
Are seen for the treatment of liver disease
  • Frailty and functional status as assessed by grip strength, chair stands, and balance which comprise the Liver Frailty Index (LFI).December 31, 2023

    Grip strength: Performance-based. Measured in kilograms. This was measured in each subject's dominant hand using a hand dynamometer (Jamar Hydraulic hand dynamometer). We averaged three trials. Chair stands: Performance-based. Measured in number of chair stands per second. Number of chair stands completed in 30 seconds. Balance: Performance-based. Measured in seconds. Ability to balance in three positions (feet placed side to side, semitandem, and tandem) for 10 seconds each. Liver Frailty Index (LFI): (coefficient x grip) + (coefficient x chair stands) + (coefficient x balance) +6

  • Examine the association between frailty and outcomes both before and after liver transplantation.December 31, 2023

    Outcomes measured prior to transplant will include: waiting for transplant, died pre-transplant, deactivated too sick, deactivated for social reasons/inactive, deferred not a candidate, and transplanted. Outcomes that will be measured post transplant include: still alive, died post transplant, and re-transplanted. All measures will be acquired via patient interview or review of medical records.

  • Evaluate the change in frailty and physical function both before and after liver transplant or treatment utilizing the LFI.December 31, 2023

    See outcome 1 for how LFI is measured.