Cross-sectional and longitudinal nutritional measurements in maintenance hemodialysis patients

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Abstract
Fifty-eight nondiabetic maintenance hemodialysis patients entered a continuing nutrition survey. Eighteen were followed at 6 and 18 months. Protein-calorie malnutrition was measured by diet survey, laboratory data, and anthropometric measurements. Of patients 50% ate less protein/calories than prescribed. Triceps skinfold thickness, transferrin, and total lymphocyte count were subnormal in 72, 81, and 69% of patients, respectively. Weight/height ratio, body mass index, arm muscle circumference, and serum albumin were normal in most. Of the patients 62% had ≥ three subnormal nutrition measurements. Only two had all measures normal. Longitudinally there was little change in the patients followed up to 18 months. The study shows that protein-calorie malnutrition is widespread in stable maintenance hemodialysis patients.