Using muscle assessment to predict health outcomes in liver disease patients

MAsS Scan as a Predictor of Morbidity and Mortality in Patients With Liver Disease

Observational University of Chicago · NCT05264051

This study is testing if a quick muscle check during an MRI can help predict health outcomes for patients with liver disease.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment1200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Chicago Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT05264051 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the Muscle Assessment Score (MAsS) using MRI as an objective measure of frailty and muscle composition in patients with liver disease. It will involve a prospective analysis of patients already scheduled for MRI at the University of Chicago Medical Center, focusing on four specific groups: those hospitalized with acute hepatic decompensation, patients with hepatobiliary neoplasia, individuals undergoing TIPS placement, and those with chronic liver disease. The MAsS assessment will add an additional 8-10 minutes to the MRI procedure, allowing researchers to gather valuable data on the correlation between muscle composition and patient outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients with liver disease who are already scheduled for an MRI for routine clinical purposes.

Not a fit: Patients under 18 years of age will not benefit from this study as they are excluded from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new predictive tool for assessing morbidity and mortality risks in liver disease patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of muscle assessment in liver disease is a growing area of interest, this specific approach utilizing MAsS and MRI is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients who are already scheduled for an MRI for routine clinical purposes will be evaluated

Exclusion Criteria:

* \<18 yrs. of age

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Liver Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.