EFFECTS OF ORAL SODIUM BICARBONATE SUPPLEMENTATION ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract

To determine the oral sodium bicarbonate supplementation effects on nutritional status of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. In a Medicine department at Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, a case-control study was carried on “14-October 2021 to 14-April 2022”. It enrolled patients of ESRD on MHD with low serum bicarbonate levels. Patients were allocated into two groups: an experimental group receiving oral sodium bicarbonate and a control group receiving standard care. Parameters such as mid-thigh circumference, serum bicarbonate, and serum albumin were assessed at baseline and after 3 months, with statistical analysis performed using an independent sample t-test. The intervention group had a notable elevation in serum bicarbonate levels (20.87±1.58 mmol/l) as compared to the control group (18.73±2.38 mmol/l) (P = 0.0001). Furthermore, it was observed that the intervention group had a noteworthy elevation in serum albumin levels after 3 months (4.40±0.28 g/l), as compared to the control group (3.77±0.30 g/l) (P = 0.0001). Additionally, there was a statistically significant rise in the average mid-thigh circumference among participants in the intervention group during the third month, in comparison to those of the control group (41.20±1.70 vs. 39.74±1.27 cm; P = 0.001). Oral sodium bicarbonate supplementation in patients on maintenance hemodialysis significantly increased serum bicarbonate level, serum albumin level and mid-thigh size.