Tackling 30-day Readmissions in Patients With Cirrhosis: The SALTYFOOD Trial
Tackling 30-day Readmissions in Patients With Cirrhosis: The SALTYFOOD Trial
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of a home meal delivery program for
 patients with cirrhosis and ascites and to determine the effectiveness of a salt-restricted
 (2 gram sodium) meal delivery program in reducing the need for therapeutic paracenteses
 and/or all-cause re-admissions for these patients. Many patients with cirrhosis don't have
 enough nutrients in the body and are frail and these meals may help them maintain a good diet
 and lead to improved quality of life.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Adult 18 years or older of age

 -  Clinical diagnosis of cirrhosis with ascites. Diagnosis of cirrhosis will be based
 upon:

 1. liver biopsy, OR

 2. history of cirrhosis complication: ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatic
 encephalopathy, OR

 3. 2 of the following 4 criteria: i. Ultrasound (US), computerized axial tomography
 (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) imaging findings of cirrhosis (cirrhotic
 appearing liver, splenomegaly, varices, ascites) ii. Fibroscan liver stiffness
 score >13 kPa iii. Laboratory testing: Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)/platelet
 ratio index (APRI) >2.0 iv. CT, MRI or Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showing
 presence of esophageal varices

 -  3) At least one of the following: Any cause hospitalization within 90 days OR
 outpatient therapeutic paracentesis within 30 days

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Language barriers that cannot be surmounted with in-person interpreters

 -  Estimated life expectancy < 3 months

 -  Pregnancy (self-reported)

 -  Unable or unwilling to provide consent

 -  History of liver transplant

 -  Planned discharge to nursing facility

 -  Anuria or serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL

 -  Uncontrolled hepatic encephalopathy