Bioelectrical Impedance Measurements Research Articles

Factors influencing the bio-impedance data in tissue segments along the three arm meridians: a pilot study

Bioelectric impedance measurements have been reported to show significant variation between individuals. Different physiological conditions like thickened skin, obesity, and fluid retention can affect the impedance measurement. Therefore, it is important to learn what other factors can affect the measurements of impedance even in healthy individuals. Such information is a prerequisite for understanding the changes in impedance associated with acupuncture treatment. This study investigated the bio-impedance properties of tissue segments in the arms of a number of healthy subjects, so as to define the factors that might influence the variation of the bio-impedance data in acupuncture meridians studies. 51 healthy subjects were recruited through Liverpool Hospital, Sydney. Demographic data was collected from each subject including the age, sex, BMI, and time since most recent meal. Electrodes were applied to the forearms of each test subject. Measurements were done by a purpose-built Bio-Impedance Research Device (BIRD-I) which allowed the determination of core resistance (Rc) and core reactance (Xc) of each of the three meridian tissue segments on the anterior surface of the forearm. No significant difference was found in the core resistance attributable to age group, gender, BMI or meal intake. However, a statistically significant trend in increasing resistance from the radial to ulnar aspect of the forearm (p

Design of a Portable Bioelectrical Impedance Measurement System

Bioelectrical impedance measurement is a widely used biomedical detecting technology. However, most traditional bioelectrical impedance measurement devices are bulky, expensive and lack of flexibility. In order to reduce costs, increase flexibility and maintain similar performance, a portable bioelectrical impedance measurement system was designed in this paper. The measurement front, with an ARM based microcontroller and integrated impedance converter chip as its core device, communicated with the host computer via USB bus. Based on the four-electrode technique, DFT digital demodulation and software calibration and compensation algorithm, the system realized its functions. Experimental results indicate that the system can achieve high precision bioelectrical impedance measurement. With the advantage of high integration and low-cost, the system can be widely used in household healthcare, clinics and biomedical research and testing.

Optimal multisine excitation design for broadband electrical impedance spectroscopy

Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) can be used to characterize biological materials in applications ranging from cell culture to body composition, including tissue and organ state. The emergence of cell therapy and tissue engineering opens up a new and promising field of application. While in most cases classical measurement techniques based on a frequency sweep can be used, EIS based on broadband excitations enables dynamic biological systems to be characterized when the measuring time and injected energy are a constraint. Myocardial regeneration, cell characterization in micro-fluidic systems and dynamic electrical impedance tomography are all examples of such applications. The weakness of such types of fast EIS measuring techniques resides in their intrinsic loss of accuracy. However, since most of the practical applications have no restriction over the excitation used, the input power spectrum can be appropriately designed to maximize the accuracy obtained from the measurements. This paper deals with the problem of designing the optimal multisine excitation for electrical bioimpedance measurements. The optimal multisine is obtained by the minimization of the Cramer–Rao lower bound, or what is the same, by maximizing the accuracy obtained from the measurements. Furthermore, because no analytical solution exists for global optimization involving time and frequency domains jointly, this paper presents the multisine optimization approach partially in both domains and then combines the results. As regards the frequency domain approach, a novel contribution is made for the multisine amplitude power spectrum. In the time domain, multisine is optimized by reducing its crest factor. Moreover, the impact on the information and accuracy of the impedance spectrum obtained from using different multisine amplitude power spectra is discussed, as well as the number of frequencies and frequency distributions. The theory is supported by a set of validation measurements when exciting with the optimal and flat multisine signals and compared to a single frequency ac impedance analyzer when characterizing an RC circuit. In vivo healthy myocardium tissue electrical impedance measurements show that broadband EIS based on multisine excitations enable the characterization of dynamic biological systems.

Bone mass of Spanish school children: impact of anthropometric, dietary and body composition factors

The purpose of this study was to: (a) determine the relationship between quantitative ultrasound (QUS) results and anthropometric, dietary and body composition factors and establish reference ranges for amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS) in the phalanges and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) in the calcaneus of children from Extremadura, Spain, and (b) to present reference curves for this population. Healthy children (n=245), aged 4-16years, were included (124 girls and 121 boys). Phalangeal and calcaneal QUS measurements were performed using DBM Sonic Bone Profiler and McCue CUBA Clinical ultrasound devices, respectively. Weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated by anthropometric methods. Fat percentage, fat mass, lean mass (FFM) and total body water (TBWater) were evaluated by bioelectrical impedance measurements using a Holtain body composition analyzer. Food intake was evaluated by a 7-day food record. A gender analysis revealed that Ad-SoS and BUA parameters increased significantly with age and that both positively correlated with age, weight, height, BMI, FFM and TBWater. For both genders, Ad-SoS showed significant and positive correlations with age, weight, height, BMI, FFM, BUA and TBWater.

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT FREEZING REGIMES ON BIOELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF ATLANTIC CHUB MACKEREL (SCOMBER COLIAS)

ABSTRACTResistance and reactance of chilled, frozen‐thawed and double frozen‐thawed fillets of Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) were measured in a frequency range from 0.1 to 1,000 kHz. After the measurements in the fresh state, one group of samples was slow frozen in a freezer set at temperature −20 ± 2C, while the second group was fast frozen by immersion in liquid nitrogen. After 14 days of frozen storage, the samples were thawed and electrical parameters were measured. The measurements were repeated on double frozen‐thawed samples. Results showed that the reactance measured at frequencies higher than 150 kHz can distinguish fast frozen from slow frozen fillets. Obtained difference between freezing cycles measured with the reactance at low frequencies could have been influenced by electrode polarization and the consequence of the measuring setup. Overall findings are in accordance with the ones obtained on the farmed fish indicating that the reactance may point to the differences in a fish muscle structure caused by different freezing history.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis preliminary work is addressing the problem of varying quality of frozen fish fillets on the market today. Therefore, bioelectrical impedance measurements were used to monitor fish tissue properties after freezing under different conditions. Impedance measurements and especially reactance show the potential of detecting the differences among fillets with different freezing history. With further adjustments of the measuring setup and proving the advantage of this method over other spectroscopic techniques, this method may be used in a quality control of frozen fish.

The Validity of Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Measures To Detect Changes In The Hydration Status Of Wrestlers During Acute Dehydration And Rehydration

The Validity of Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Measures To Detect Changes In The Hydration Status Of Wrestlers During Acute Dehydration And Rehydration

Bioelectric Impedance Measurements as Predictors of HCV-Related Hepatic Fibrosis and Inflammation

Background: Increased relative adiposity, measured as BMI or waist circumference, is a recognized risk factor for HCV-related liver disease. Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA)based measurements of adiposity offer advantages including less inter-observer variability compared with widely used anthropometric calculations. There have been no studies of BIA in association with HCV-related liver disease. Methods: HCV+ male veterans with confirmed HCV viremia and without ascites or decompensated disease were recruited at a single VA medical center. We obtained direct 8-segment multi-frequency BIA measurements of body composition with Biospace Inbody scale (98% correlation with DXA, 99% reproducibility). BIA measurements (<5 minutes in duration) were taken after entering study measured height, gender and age. Fibrosure test was used to assess grade of fibrosis and inflammation. We also obtained other conventional anthropometric measurements (waist, hips). ANOVA was employed to compare mean BIA and anthropometric measurements with advanced compared to mild fibrosis (F3-F4, F4 vs. F0-F3), and with advanced compared to mild inflammatory activity (A2, A2-A3, A3 vs. A0, A1, A1-A2). Logistic regression was employed to evaluate these factors and risk of advanced liver disease after adjusting for ethnicity, age and current alcohol use. Results: We recruited 198 HCV+ male veterans (mean age 56 yrs; 52% AfricanAmerican; 43% non-Hispanic White). BIA-measured body fatness (%BF) and BMI were significantly associated with advanced hepatic fibrosis in univariate (Table 1) and multivariate (Table 2) analyses. Similar associations were observed with advanced inflammation (data not shown). However, waist and hip circumference obtained from conventional tapemeasurements were not significantly associated with fibrosis in univariate or multivariate analyses, though both were marginally significant for inflammation. There were no significant differences in total body water or lean body mass among groups with advanced and mild hepatic disease (Tables 1, 2). This indicates that the observed associations with %BF and BMI are primarily related to differences in relative fatness and not in water retention or muscular atrophy. The correlation between BMI and %BF was significant and moderately strong (Kendal tau-b=64%), with similar correlation observed for both BMI and %BF with waist and hip circumference respectively. Conclusion: Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) measured %BF and BIA calculated BMI both predict the presence of advanced hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in HCV+ male veterans. BIA measurements were easy, quick, and highly reproducible. Given the degree of correlation among these measures, additional research is needed to clarify their joint and individual contributions in risk of advanced liver disease. Table 1. Univariate assessment of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA)and anthropometricbased measurements in 198 male veterans with chronic HCV.

Monitoring progress in a multi disciplinary team prader willi syndrome (PWS) clinic – all is not always what it seems

AimsChildren with Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS) are often reviewed in general clinics where knowledge of PWS is limited and advice fragmented. We describe the benefits of a multi disciplinary PWS...

Measures of adiposity in two cohorts of Hawaiian school children

Background: Native Hawaiians have high rates of obesity and obesity-related diseases compared with non-Hawaiians in Hawaii, and the relation between this ethnic disparity in adiposity and socioeconomic status (SES) in children is unclear.Aim: The present study compared measures of adiposity in two cohorts of school children residing in the Hilo area of Hawaii and related these measures to parental reports of ethnicity, household income and parent educational attainment.Subjects and methods: All children in either Kindergarten (mean age 5.6 years) or third grade (mean age 8.7 years) in eight elementary schools in the Hilo area were invited to participate. A total of 125 children had anthropometric, bioelectric impedance and air displacement plethysmography measurements taken and their parents answered questions about household income, parental educational attainment and genealogical background that included ethnicity of ancestors.Results: Boys and girls in both cohorts had stature approximately at the 50th percentile (Z-score = 0) of national samples (CDC data). Z-scores of BMI were elevated compared to the CDC reference curves, but were significantly higher in male Native Hawaiian children in the older cohort among whom nearly 50% had a BMI above the 95th percentile for age. In the younger cohort, there was no significant ethnic difference in adiposity measures. In the older cohort, Native Hawaiian boys had significantly higher adiposity measures than their classmates. Adiposity in third grade girls was significantly and inversely related to their father's educational attainment. Percentage of Hawaiian ancestry was not significantly related to adiposity measures.Conclusions: Ethnic disparity in adiposity among Native Hawaiians compared with non-Hawaiian age mates occurs after the age of 6 years, and is confined to males in this sample. For older girls, father's, but not mother's, educational attainment was inversely related to adiposity.

Active core rewarming avoids bioelectrical impedance changes in postanesthetic patients

BackgroundPostoperative hypothermia is a common cause of complications in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Hypothermia is known to elicit electrophysiological, biochemical, and cellular alterations thus leading to changes in the active and passive membrane properties. These changes might influence the bioelectrical impedance (BI). Our aim was to determine whether the BI depends on the core temperature.MethodsWe studied 60 patients (52 female and 8 male) age 40 to 80 years with an ASA I-II classification that had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy under balanced inhalation anesthesia. The experimental group (n = 30) received active core rewarming during the transanesthetic and postanesthesic periods. The control group (n = 30) received passive external rewarming. The BI was recorded by using a 4-contact electrode system to collect dual sets of measurements in the deltoid muscle. The body temperature, hemodynamic variables, respiratory rate, blood-gas levels, biochemical parameters, and shivering were also measured. The Mann-Whitney unpaired t-test was used to determine the differences in shivering between each group at each measurement period. Measurements of body temperature, hemodynamics variables, respiratory rate, and BI were analyzed using the two-way repeated-measures ANOVA.ResultsThe gradual decrease in the body temperature was followed by the BI increase over time. The highest BI values (95 ± 11 Ω) appeared when the lowest values of the temperature (35.5 ± 0.5°C) were reached. The active core rewarming kept the body temperature within the physiological range (over 36.5°C). This effect was accompanied by low stable values (68 ± 3 Ω) of BI. A significant decrease over time in the hemodynamic values, respiratory rate, and shivering was seen in the active core-rewarming group when compared with the controls. The temporal course of shivering was different from those of body temperatue and BI. The control patients showed a significant increase in the serum-potassium levels, which were not seen in the active-core rewarming group.ConclusionsThe BI analysis changed as a function of the changes of core temperature and independently of the shivering. In addition, our results support the beneficial use of active core rewarming to prevent accidental hypothermia.

Body electrical loss analysis (BELA) in the assessment of visceral fat: a demonstration

BackgroundBody electrical loss analysis (BELA) is a new non-invasive way to assess visceral fat depot size through the use of electromagnetism. BELA has worked well in phantom measurements, but the technology is not yet fully validated.MethodsTen volunteers (5 men and 5 women, age: 22-60 y, BMI: 21-30 kg/m2, waist circumference: 73-108 cm) were measured with the BELA instrument and with cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the navel level, navel +5 cm and navel -5 cm. The BELA signal was compared with visceral and subcutaneous fat areas calculated from the MR images.ResultsThe BELA signal did not correlate with subcutaneous fat area at any level, but correlated significantly with visceral fat area at the navel level and navel +5 cm. The correlation was best at level of navel +5 cm (R2 = 0.74, P < 0.005, SEE = 29.7 cm2, LOOCV = 40.1 cm2), where SEE is the standard error of the estimate and LOOCV is the root mean squared error of leave-one-out style cross-validation. The average estimate of repeatability of the BELA signal observed through the study was ±9.6 %. One of the volunteers had an exceptionally large amount of visceral fat, which was underestimated by BELA.ConclusionsThe correlation of the BELA signal with the visceral but not with the subcutaneous fat area as measured by MRI is promising. The lack of correlation with the subcutaneous fat suggests that subcutaneous fat has a minor influence to the BELA signal. Further research will show if it is possible to develop a reliable low-cost method for the assessment of visceral fat either using BELA only or combining it, for example, with bioelectrical impedance measurement. The combination of these measurements may help assessing visceral fat in a large scale of body composition. Before large-scale clinical testing and ROC analysis, the initial BELA instrumentation requires improvements. The accuracy of the present equipment is not sufficient for such new technology.

Human Bioelectrical impedance Measuring Method Based on Principle of Multi-frequency and Multi-segment

In the traditional human bioelectrical impedance measurement methods, measurement approach is simplex and accuracy is low. A multi-frequency and multi-segment human bioelectrical impedance measurement method is proposed, which adopts eight electrodes segments measurement technique and direct frequency synthesis method to produce multi-frequency excitation signal, and then achieves multi-frequency and multi-segment measurement of bioelectrical impedance. The results of experiments show that this method effectively improves the measurement accuracy; the relative error of measured impedance magnitude is less than 1% while the absolute error of phase is less than 1 degree.

Measures of Adiposity and Future Risk of Ischemic Stroke and Coronary Heart Disease in Older Men and Women

The relation between measures of general and central adiposity and individual cardiovascular endpoints remains understudied in older adults. This study investigated the association of measures of body size and composition with incident ischemic stroke or coronary heart disease (1989-2007) in 3,754 community-dwelling US adults aged 65-100 years. Standardized anthropometry and bioelectric impedance measurements were obtained at baseline. Body mass index at age 50 years (BMI50) was calculated on the basis of recalled weight. Although only waist/hip ratio was significantly associated with ischemic stroke in quintile analysis in women, dichotomized body mass index (BMI) (≥ 30 kg/m²) was the only significant predictor in men. For coronary heart disease, there were significant positive adjusted associations for all adiposity measures, without interaction by sex. This was true for both quintiles and conventional cutpoints for obesity, although BMI-defined overweight (25-29.9 kg/m² was significant at midlife but not at baseline. Strengths of association for extreme quintiles (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1) were broadly comparable, but the highest effect estimates were for waist/hip ratio (hazard ratio = 1.56, 95% confidence interval: 1.25, 1.94) and BMI50 (hazard ratio = 1.71, 95% confidence interval: 1.37, 2.14), both of which remained significant after adjustment for mediators, BMI, or each other. Whether these differences translate to better risk prediction will require meta-analytical approaches, as will determination of prognostic cutpoints.

P143 NF-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) DNA binding in the quadriceps of COPD patients

IntroductionAnimal work implicates NF-κB and AP-1 activation in muscle atrophy (Cai et al, 2004 and Costelli et al, 2005). Prior study of seven COPD patients with a low BMI and...

Wet BNP, fluid and hemodynamic status at discharge in acute heart failure — Reply

[4] Parrinello G, Paterna S, Di Pasquale P, et al. The usefulness of bioelectrical impedance analysis in differentiating dyspnea due to decompensated heart failure. J Card Fail 2008;14(8):676–86. [5] Paterna S, Di Pasquale P, Parrinello G, et al. Changes in brain natriuretic peptide levels and bioelectrical impedance measurements after treatment with high-dose furosemide and hypertonic saline solution versus high-dose furosemide alone in refractory congestive heart failure: a double-blind study. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;45 (12):1997–2003. [6] Paterna S, Parrinello G, Cannizzaro S, et al. Medium term effects of different dosage of diuretic, sodium, and fluid administration on neurohormonal and clinical outcome in patients with recently compensated heart failure. Am J Cardiol 2009;103(1):93–102. [7] Parrinello G, Torres D, Paterna S, et al. The challenge of the volume status assessment in heart failure. Am Heart J 2009;157(4):e19–20. [8] Torres D, Parrinello G, Paterna S, et al. Bioelectrical impedance analysis for prediction of hospital admission due to cardiac decompensation in ambulatory heart failure: a follow-up study. Eur J Int Med 2008;19(S1):33–4. [9] Coats AJ. Ethical authorship and publishing. Int J Cardiol 2009;131:149–50.

Effect of maternal calcium supplementation on offspring blood pressure in 5- to 10-y-old rural Gambian children

Background: Evidence suggests that increased maternal calcium intake during pregnancy may result in lower offspring blood pressure, prompting calls for more robust data in this field, particularly in settings of habitually low calcium intake.Objective: The objective was to investigate the effect of maternal calcium supplementation on blood pressure in offspring by recruiting children born after a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of calcium supplementation during pregnancy.Design: Children (n = 389) from a rural area of The Gambia (mean age: 7.4 ± 1.2 y; range: 5–10 y), whose mothers received a calcium supplement (1500 mg Ca/d from 20 wk of gestation until delivery) or placebo, were followed up in West Africa. Blood pressure was assessed under standardized conditions with use of the Omron 705IT automated oscillometric device (Morton Medical Ltd, London, United Kingdom), and anthropometric and body composition (bioelectrical impedance) measurements were also made.Results: The analysis was restricted to 350 children born at term, which represented 64% of original trial births. There was no difference in systolic (adjusted mean difference: −0.04 mm Hg; 95% CI: −1.78, 1.69 mm Hg) or diastolic (adjusted mean difference: 0.25 mm Hg; 95% CI: −1.27, 1.77 mm Hg) blood pressure between children whose mothers had received calcium and those who received placebo. No interaction between childhood body mass index (in kg/m2; mean: 14.0) and maternal calcium supplementation was observed in this study.Conclusion: Calcium supplementation in the second half of pregnancy in Gambian women with very low habitual calcium intakes may not result in lower offspring blood pressure at 5–10 y of age.

Volaemic assessment of the elderly hyponatraemic patient: reliability of clinical assessment and validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis

Hyponatraemia is the commonest electrolyte disturbance of hospital inpatients. Assessment of volaemic status is an important part of diagnosis and management. To determine reliability of clinical assessment of volaemic state by assessing inter-observer variability of clinical measures of volaemic state. To assess validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis as a tool to measure total body water in elderly hyponatraemic patients. Observational study conducted in a Department of Medicine for the Elderly. Hospital inpatients >65 years old (n=22) with serum sodium concentration <130 mmol/l were included. Two assessors determined volaemic state on two occasions 72 h apart. Level of agreement between observers was determined on each occasion. Total body water estimation was undertaken with bioelectrical impedance analysis and measurement of dilution of deuterium oxide. Correlation between these two measures was then analysed. Cohen's κ for agreement between two observers for overall assessment of volaemic state was 0.59 (P<0.01). Values for agreement between individual clinical markers of volaemic state ranged between 0.16 and 0.45. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) for correlation between estimation of total body water undertaken by bioelectrical impedance analysis and by measurement of dilution of deuterium oxide was 0.69 (P<0.001). There was moderate inter-observer agreement of overall clinical volaemic assessment of elderly hyponatraemic patients. Total body water estimation by bioelectrical impedance analysis correlates well with estimation by measurement of dilution of deuterium oxide, providing a potentially useful tool to improve the management of the elderly hyponatraemic patient.

Detection of (Reversible) Myocardial Ischemic Injury by Means of Electrical Bioimpedance

The scope of this paper was to determine whether ischemic and reperfusion damage in cardiac surgery can be detected by measurement of electrical bioimpedance (EBI). Conventional pacing wires were replaced by pacing wires with sputtered iridium coating in order to reduce polarization associated with two-electrode impedance measurements. A custom-built bioimpedance analyzer (Osypka Medical GmbH, Berlin, Germany) measured the real part of impedance Re(Z) and the phase (ϕ) at three frequencies (1, 10, and 1000 kHz) and determined an extracellular space index (EZRI) as the quotient of Re(Z) at 1000 kHz and Re(Z) at 1 kHz. Our study included six patients (conventional coronary artery bypass graft, age 68.1 ± 8.3 years) subject to routine cardioplegic ischemia and reperfusion. Preischemic bioimpedance measurements were not impaired by interference of the beating heart. Intraischemically, bioimpedance at 1 kHz and phase at 10 kHz increased until opening of a bypass graft, which is probably induced by closure of gap junctions and cell swelling processes. After cross clamping, EZRI slowly decreased as an effect of mild cell swelling. After ischemia, values returned almost to baseline measurements, indicating sufficient reperfusion processes. Measurement of EBI correlates with myocardial ischemic injury and is applicable in a two-electrode setup providing low-polarization pacing wires.

Sarcopenia Exacerbates Obesity-Associated Insulin Resistance and Dysglycemia: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III

BackgroundSarcopenia often co-exists with obesity, and may have additive effects on insulin resistance. Sarcopenic obese individuals could be at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. We performed a study to determine whether sarcopenia is associated with impairment in insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in obese and non-obese individuals.MethodologyWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III data utilizing subjects of 20 years or older, non-pregnant (N = 14,528). Sarcopenia was identified from bioelectrical impedance measurement of muscle mass. Obesity was identified from body mass index. Outcomes were homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR), glycosylated hemoglobin level (HbA1C), and prevalence of pre-diabetes (6.0≤ HbA1C<6.5 and not on medication) and type 2 diabetes. Covariates in multiple regression were age, educational level, ethnicity and sex.Principal FindingsSarcopenia was associated with insulin resistance in non-obese (HOMA IR ratio 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26 to 1.52) and obese individuals (HOMA-IR ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.18). Sarcopenia was associated with dysglycemia in obese individuals (HbA1C ratio 1.021, 95% CI 1.011 to 1.043) but not in non-obese individuals. Associations were stronger in those under 60 years of age. We acknowledge that the cross-sectional study design limits our ability to draw causal inferences.ConclusionsSarcopenia, independent of obesity, is associated with adverse glucose metabolism, and the association is strongest in individuals under 60 years of age, which suggests that low muscle mass may be an early predictor of diabetes susceptibility. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity, further research is urgently needed to develop interventions to prevent sarcopenic obesity and its metabolic consequences.

Desnutrição na insuficiência renal crônica: qual o melhor método diagnóstico na prática clínica?

Protein-energy malnutrition, systemic inflammation, and metabolic disorders are frequent among patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing dialysis, contributing to their morbidity and mortality. In the present study, the prevalence of malnutrition in chronic renal patients undergoing hemodialysis in one single center in the Northeastern region of Brazil was assessed according to the following: three different methods of subjective global assessment (SGA); body mass index (BMI); percent of standard body weight; adequacy to the 50th percentile of triceps skinfold (TSF) and arm muscle circumference (AMC) thicknesses; pre-dialysis albumin; phase angle; and percentage of body cell mass (%BCM). Agreement of the nutritional status diagnosis performed through SGA with anthropometric, biochemical, and bioelectrical impedance measures was assessed. The study assessed 58 patients [females, 30 (51.7%); mean age = 49 years]. The prevalence of malnutrition according to the different methods ranged from 12.1% to 94.8%. Conventional SGA showed a moderate agreement with patient-generated SGA (PG-SGA), BMI (cutoff point, 22.0 kg/m²), and AMC; a fair agreement with BMI (cutoff point, 18.5 kg/m²), percent of standard body weight, AC, and phase angle; and a poor agreement with SGA adapted to the renal patient, TSF, and %BCM. The nutritional assessment methods commonly used in clinical practice are subject to restrictions when applied to the dialysis population, considering the different percentages obtained with the different methods. Longitudinal, prospective studies on the association of nutritional markers with adverse events, such as hospitalization and mortality, should be carried out to clarify remaining issues.