Anthropometric worksheet for use with hemodialysis patients

Abstract

NTHROPOMETRIC measurement proA vides additional information in the nutritional assessment of the hemodialysis patient. Assessing current status as well as monitoring changes in fat and somatic protein stores of the patient provide the clinician with information useful in addressing adequacy of protein and energy intake. Measuring triceps skin-fold thickness (TSF) allows the clinician to separate the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) into an estimation of fat stores as TSF and somatic protein status represented by mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and corrected arm muscle area (&MA). Fat and somatic protein stores vary by age, gender, and race, as reflected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). An indicator of obesity, Quetelet’s Index or Body Mass Index (BMI), compares weight to height and correlates well with body fatness. Comparison of TSF, MAMC, and MUAC to NHANES provides the clinician with a more detailed picture of the nutritional status of the patient compared with the general population. Repeat anthropometric measurements allow the clinician to monitor changes in stature, fat stores, and somatic protein status within the patient. The Anthropometric Worksheet (Fig 1) was developed to facilitate efficient measurement of a large number of dialysis patients over a short period of time. The form constitutes part of both the initial and the annual assessment of the patient. Height and wrist circumference measurements are performed at the first treatment to calculate the diet prescription. Arm measure-