Intradialytic amino acids supplementation in hemodialysis patients with malnutrition: results of a multicenter cohort study

Effects of Renal-specific Oral Supplementation in Malnourished Hemodialysis Patients

Characteristics in nutritional status of patients on dialysis in south korea

Background:Malnutrition, inflammation and poor quality of life are prevalent among hemodialysis (HD) patients. Health-related quality of life is an important determinant of hospitalization and mortality in HD patients.Objectives:The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between quality of life and malnutrition-inflammation status according to subjective global assessment (SGA) and malnutrition-inflammation scores (MIS) in HD patients.Patients and Methods:We randomly selected 87 of 180 stable HD patients from two HD centers. Those on hemodialysis for at least three months and with malnutrition according to the SGA scores were included in this study. They were divided into two groups of mild to moderate malnutrition (n = 39) and severe malnutrition (n = 49) based on the SGA scores. Serum levels of transferrin, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, kt/v, body mass index and malnutrition-inflammation scores were measured in all patients. Health-related quality of life was assessed by validated short form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire for each patient. These values were compared between the two groups of patients by independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. The correlations of nutritional variables with SGA and MIS scores were determined by Pearson and Spearman correlation tests.Results:There were no differences in measured parameters between the two groups except for MIS scores. Those with severe malnutrition showed higher MIS scores. All quality of life aspects and total scores (PCS, MCS) (rather than social functioning (SF) aspect) were significantly different between the two groups, which showed lower physical and mental scores in severely-malnourished patients. Physical functioning (PF), role limitations due to physical heath (RP), general health (GH), mental health (MH), SF, role limitation due to emotional health (RE), vitality (VT) aspects and total scores (PCS and MCS) had negative significant correlations with MIS and SGA scores (All P values < 0.05). No correlation was found between MIS and SGA scores and other measured variables.Conclusions:This study focused on important effects of malnutrition and inflammation on health-related quality of life aspects, both physically and mentally in HD patients. SGA and MIS are highly correlated with quality of life in HD patients.

SGA Scores Have Poor Correlation With Serum Albumin in Obese Hemodialysis Patients: A Secondary Analysis

Background: Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) had been recommended by the Renal Association (Wright & Jones 2010) as an appropriate nutritional screening tool for the detection of malnutrition in haemodialysis (HD) patients. However, it has been criticised for being time consuming (Kondrup et al. 2003) and lacking sensitivity (Kalantar-Zadeh et al.1999). The Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) requires the patient to complete part of the screening tool; thus reducing the amount of time the dietitian spends completing it. A recent pilot project showed that, compared to SGA, PG-SGA was able to distinguish significant differences between several independent measurements of nutritional status (demonstrating construct validity) (Hyam et al., 2010). In contrast the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) did not identify risk of malnutrition in HD patients. The aim of the current project was to assess a greater number and range of patients (with respect to nutritional status) using the three tools, in order to confirm whether PG-SGA was the most appropriate nutritional screening tool for use in HD patients. Methods: The nutritional status of 65 HD patients (n = 43 male; n = 22 female) attending two renal units; St Georges and Canterbury, was assessed by one investigator at each unit (KF and RP respectively). There was no exclusion criteria, however investigators aimed to assess a greater proportion of patients with suspected malnutrition (identified by SN and SR) as this group was possibly under-represented in the previous study. Data included SGA, MUST, PG-SGA, grip strength, anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Construct validity was examined using ANOVA to compare differences between the nutritional values of those patients classified by the nutritional screening tools as being at no risk, moderate risk or high risk of malnutrition. Criterion validity was assessed using the kappa statistic to measure the level of agreement between SGA (as the gold standard), PG-SGA, and MUST. Results: SGA classifications of nutritional status were able to distinguish significant differences in: Albumin (P = 0.03); CRP (P = 0.023), hand grip strength (P = 0.001), average daily energy intake (P = 0.005), protein intake (P = 0.01) and haemoglobin (P = 0.0001). PG-SGA only identified significant differences in hand grip strength (P = 0.008) and mid arm circumference (P = 0.024). MUST identified differences in current BMI (P = 0.04), mid arm circumference (P = 0.005) and CRP (P = 0.03). A moderate kappa statistic (0.51) was recorded when comparing the level of agreement between PGSGA and SGA classifications of patients. Virtually no agreement was found between SGA and MUST (( = 0.07). The sensitivity of PG-SGA compared to SGA was 89% and the specificity was 50%. When MUST was compared to SGA the sensitivity was 31% and the specificity was 95%. The majority (63%) of patients were unable to complete the PG-SGA; which were then completed with the assistance of the investigators. Discussion: MUST poorly identify malnourished HD patients (as found previously by Hyam et al., 2010). However in contrast to the pilot study, this current study which included a larger more nutritionally diverse group of patients, indicated that SGA was more sensitive to changes within independent nutritional parameters than PG-SGA. Over half the patients were not able to complete the PGSGA so, contrary to expectations, there were no time savings. Conclusion: SGA appears to be more sensitive to the nutritional status of HD patients than PG-SGA and additionally a large proportion of HD patients find PG-SGA too difficult to complete. MUST is not a sensitive method for detecting malnutrition in this group of patients.

Association of Depression With Selenium Deficiency and Nutritional Markers in the Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis

Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) is a nutrition assessment tool recommended by the 2000 NKF K/DOQI Nutrition Guidelines. However, the validity and reliability of this tool have not been established in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The purpose of this observational study was to determine the reliability and validity of SGA in the HD population. Renal dietitians (RD) were recruited to perform SGA (7-point scale version) and collect data on demographics, clinical status, biochemistries, dietary intake, and quality of life (Medical Outcomes Short Form-36) on 3 HD patients at baseline and 6 months later. The 54 participating RDs were trained to perform SGA and collect data via a website created for this study. Interrater reliability for SGA was tested in a subset of 76 patients, via an SGA performed by a second RD at baseline, while intrarater reliability was assessed by the original RD repeating the SGA at 1 month. Data collection occurred at HD facilities in the United States (109 patients), Canada (35 patients), and New Zealand (9 patients). Of the 153 patients, 46% were female, 64% were Caucasian, 6% were Hispanic, 21% were African American, and 6% were Asian. The primary etiologies were hypertension (33%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (27%), type 1 DM (10%), and glomerular nephritis (10%); 59% had cardiovascular disease. The mean age, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, and duration on HD were 64 +/- 14 years (mean +/- SD), 28 +/- 7 kg/m(2), 3.7 +/- 0.4 mg/dL, and 41 +/- 34 months, respectively. SGA scores were well nourished (7)-30%; mildly malnourished (MN 6)-41%; moderately MN 5-21%, 4-7%, and 3-2%; and severely MN (2 and 1)-0%. SGA training via the Internet achieved fair interrater reliability (weighted Kappa = 0.5, Spearman's Rho = 0.7) and substantial intrarater reliability (weighted Kappa = 0.7, Spearman's Rho = 0.8) (P < .001). Validity was demonstrated through statistically significant differences in mean BMI and serum albumin across the 5 categories of SGA (7-28 +/- 7, 6-29 +/- 7, 5-28 +/- 8, 4-21 +/- 4, 3-24 +/- 2, P < .05; and 7-3.8 +/- 0.3, 6-3.8 +/- 0.4, 5-37 +/- 0.05, 4-3.4 +/- 0.07, 3-2.9 +/- 1.2, P < .001, respectively). Nutritional status varied by age (P < .05), but not ethnicity or nationality. We conclude that the 7-point scale SGA is a reliable and valid tool for nutritional assessment in adults on HD.

BackgroundLow serum sodium (Na) has been associated with decreased body mass index and increased cardiovascular mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients. We examined the relationship between serum Na and selected nutritional parameters of protein energy wasting that are not affected from the hydration status in a cohort of HD patients.MethodsTriceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm circumference (MAC), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC), handgrip strength (HGS) and subjective global assessment (SGA) were assessed in maintenance HD patients using standard techniques. MAMC was calculated with the formula MAMC (cm) = MAC (cm) −3.142 × TSF cm. Pre-dialysis serum Na values from routine monthly laboratory measurements were averaged for the last 6 months prior to the nutritional assessment.ResultsAltogether 172 patients with anthropometric data were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 66 ± 14, females 62 (36%) and diabetics 48 (28.9%). Patients with pre-dialysis serum Na below the mean value (136.2 mEq/L) had lower MAMC, HGS, SGA scores and albumin levels (23.50 ± 3.16 cm versus 24.58 ± 3.71 cm, P = 0.048; 21.7 ± 13.6 kg versus 28.0 ± 12.4 kg, P = 0.030; 5.1 ± 1.2 versus 5.7 ± 1.0, P = 0.012 and 31.65 ± 4.73 mg/L versus 32.25 ± 3.91 mg/L, P = 0.022, respectively) and higher interdialytic weight gains. Pre-dialysis serum Na correlated positively with MAMC, handgrip and SGA (Pearson's correlation r = 0.165, P = 0.031, r = 0.237, P = 0.022 and r = 0.195, P = 0.011, respectively).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that low serum sodium is associated with protein energy wasting and increased interdialytic weight gain in HD patients.

Malnutrition is highly prevalent in hemodialysis (HD) patients. These patients have high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation which can subsequently induce malnutrition. Selenium levels have been found to be decreased in HD patients. As selenium deficiency leads to oxidative stress and inflammatory response, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on oxidative and inflammatory markers and the nutritional status of HD patients. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 80 patients on stable HD for at least 3 months without any acute illness or active infections were randomly allocated to two equal groups to receive one selenium (200 µg) or placebo capsule daily for 12 weeks. Serum levels of lipoproteins, malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP), homocysteine, ferritin and transferrin as well as the subjective global assessment (SGA) score, malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels were measured at the baseline and at the end of the treatment phase. The primary outcome was a change in the nutritional status measured by the SGA score from the baseline towards the end of the treatment phase of the study. The SGA score and MIS decreased significantly in the selenium group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.001 for both). Moreover, serum levels of MDA decreased significantly in the selenium group compared with increasing levels in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Selenium supplementation also hindered an increase in IL-6 levels compared with the placebo group (P = 0.016). There were no significant differences between the selenium and placebo groups in terms of changes in serum levels of lipoproteins, HSCRP, homocysteine, ferritin and transferrin or Hb levels. This study shows that selenium may be an effective complementary supplement for reducing the severity of malnutrition in HD patients through alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation.

Background Protein-calorie malnutrition is common in chronic hemodialysis patients and correlates with morbidity and mortality. There are limited trials evaluating the efficacy of oral nutritional supplementation in malnourished CHD patients. Aim of the Work To evaluate the effect of 6-month-long intradialytic amino acids (AA) supplementation on selected nutritional variables in malnourished hemodialysis (HD) patients. Patients and Methods This was prospective, intervention-controlled study, was conducted in haemodialysis unit Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital, and other authorized hospitals nephrology clinics on 60 patients divided into 2 groups: (Group A); received oral formula, (Group B); the control group on their normal diet. Results There were high statistically difference between the studied groups on nutritional markers. Conclusion Malnutrition is common in incident and prevalent HD patients however enteral protein supplements can also help on increasing nutritional markers.

One of the most important problems in patients on hemodialysis (HD) is chronic malnutrition. This study is aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition using a subjective global assessment (SGA) in HD patients referred to the Valie ASR Hospital, Arak, Iran. In this descriptive analysis study, 190 HD patients were selected with random sampling. SGA and anthropometric and biochemical measurements were assessed in all patients. Data were analyzed with the Chi-square and t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficient. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 190 patients studied, 78 patients (41.1%) were male and 112 patients (58.9%) were female. Sixteen patients were detected to have adequate nutritional status (8.4%), 90 (47.4%) had mild malnutrition and 84 patients (44.2%) had moderate malnutrition. We found a significant negative correlation of SGA score with patient's weight (r = -0.147) and patient's body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.238). Also, it correlated significantly with duration of dialysis treatment (years) (r = 0.404). The SGA score showed a significant negative correlation with mid-arm circumference (MAC) (r = - 0.152). No significant correlation was found between SGA score and mid-arm muscle area. Our study showed that >50% of patients on maintenance HD had mild or moderate malnutrition. There was no case of severe malnutrition. Duration of dialysis treatment and some anthropometric indices (weight, BMI and MAC) also showed a significant correlation with SGA score, which are important to determine the nutritional status of HD patients.

Background Malnutrition commonly affects hemodialysis (HD) patients. Malnourished HD patients have increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition among Egyptian hemodialysis patients. Material and methods This is a cross-sectional study carried out on ESRD patients with regular HD. All participants were subjected to detailed history taking and complete physical examination. Assessment of nutritional status was done using subjective global assessment (SGA). Anthropometric measures included mid-arm circumference (MAC), triceps skin fold (TSF), and body mass index (BMI) assessment. Results One hundred thirty patients with a mean age of 55.2 ± 12.6 years, completed the study. The mean duration of HD was 4.51 ± 3.68 years. The mean SGA was 12.1 ± 3.9. Malnutrition was present in 34 (26.2%) patients [mild to moderate (23.8%), severe (2.4%)]. Patients had a mean BMI of 25.69 ± 4.5 kg/m2, a mean MAC of 25.9 ± 4.9 cm, and a mean TSF of 18.1 ± 8.9 mm. There was a significant negative correlation between malnutrition and mid arm circumference and serum Na with P value of 0.003 and 0.012, respectively. Patients with malnutrition had a significantly longer duration on HD (P=0.004), lower Kt/V (P=0.040), lower serum albumin (P=0.007), lower BMI (P=0.002), less MAC (P=0.002), less TSF (P=0.002). Conclusions Malnutrition is common in HD patients with a significant inverse correlation with mid arm circumference and serum Na. Malnourished patients had a longer duration on HD, lowered serum albumin, BMI, dialysis adequacy and anthropometric measures.

This study was performed to investigate the serum zinc (Zn), plasma ghrelin, leptin levels and nutritional status, and to evaluate the potential association between malnutrition and these investigated parameters in malnourished hemodialysis (HD) patients. Fifteen malnourished HD patients, aged 42.9 +/- 2.11 years, who underwent the HD for 46.44 +/- 7.1 months and 15 healthy volunteers, aged 41.0 +/- 2.17 years, were included in this study. The nutritional status of the subjects was determined by the subjective global assessment (SGA). Anthropometric measurements were taken by bioelectrical impedance after HD. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of zinc (Zn), ghrelin, leptin, and selected blood parameters. The HD patients consumed less energy and nutrients than controls. In HD patients, body weight, body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), basal metabolic rate (BMR), body fat, lean body mass (LBM), serum Zn, copper (Cu) (p < 0.05), sodium (Na) (p < 0.01), glucose (p < 0.05), albumin (p < 0.01), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), and ghrelin (p < 0.05) were lower whereas body water ratio (p < 0.001), serum potassium (K) (p < 0.01), inorganic phosphorous (Pi), blood urea nitrogen, creatinine (p < 0.001), and plasma insulin (p < 0.05) levels were higher than the controls. No difference existed between HD patients and controls regarding plasma leptin levels. There were positive correlations for body weight-fasting glucose and body weight-leptin (p < 0.05), body weight-BMI and body weight-LBM (p < 0.01); body fat-leptin (p < 0.05); BMI-fasting glucose, BMI-leptin, and BMI-body fat (p < 0.05); albumin-hemoglobin and albumin-insulin (p < 0.05). Negative correlation was found for SGA score-ghrelin (p < 0.05). Malnutrition in HD patients may result from inadequate energy and nutrient intake and low Zn and ghrelin levels. Zinc supplementation to the diets of HD patients may be of value to prevent the malnutrition.

AIMTo evaluate the lower-limb muscle oxygenation in hemodialysis (HD) patients and identify the factors associating with muscle oxygenation.METHODSSixty-seven HD patients (53 men and 14 women; mean age, 67.1 ± 1.2 years; mean HD duration, 5.6 ± 0.9 years) were recruited. In addition, 15 healthy individuals (nine men and six women; mean age, 38.2 ± 4.6 years) were recruited as the control group. Lower-limb muscle regional saturation of oxygen (rSO2) was monitored on the lateral side of the gastrocnemius muscle before HD using an INVOS 5100C (Covidien Japan, Tokyo, Japan), which utilizes near-infrared spectroscopy. Here, we evaluated the association between lower-limb muscle rSO2 and clinical parameters.RESULTSThe rSO2 values were significantly lower in patients undergoing HD than in healthy individuals (50.0% ± 1.7% vs 76.8% ± 2.5%, P < 0.001). Lower-limb muscle rSO2 showed significant positive correlations with diastolic blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen concentration, serum creatinine concentration, serum potassium concentration, serum inorganic phosphate concentration, and serum albumin concentration as well as negative correlation with HD duration. We conducted a multiple linear regression analysis using parameters that were significantly correlated with the lower-limb muscle rSO2 in a simple linear regression analysis. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that lower-limb muscle rSO2 was independently associated with serum inorganic phosphate (standardized coefficient: 0.27) and serum albumin concentrations (standardized coefficient: 0.24). In addition, there were no differences in lower-limb muscle rSO2 between diabetic and non-diabetic HD patients. This study has several limitations. Firstly, its sample size was relatively small. Secondly, we could not evaluate the association between lower-limb muscle rSO2 and calculated nutritional markers, including normalized protein catabolic rate and body mass index, anthropometric measurements representing nutritional status, and the severity of protein-energy wasting. Finally, we did not routinely examine the arterial vascular status of HD patients without symptoms of peripheral artery disease. As such, it is possible that some HD patients with subclinical peripheral artery disease may have been included in this study.CONCLUSIONIn HD patients, the oxygenation of lower-limb muscle tissue was associated with serum inorganic phosphate and albumin concentrations, both of which represent nutritional status.

The effect of frequent hemodialysis on nutrition and body composition: Frequent Hemodialysis Network Trial