[The prevalence of malnutrition in hemodialysis]

Uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis are often catabolic and malnourished. To treat malnutrition effectively, a preliminary nutritional assessment is needed. In a group of 61 chronic uremic patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, the authors evaluated the nutritional status with the following indices: 1) assessment of the somatic fat and protein compartments by means of anthropometric measurements (body mass index: BMI, triceps skinfold thickness: TST, and arm muscle circumference: AMC); 2) assessment of the visceral protein compartment (serum albumin); 3) assessment of cell-mediated immunity by means of skin tests and 4) assessment of the dietary intake of nutrients with dietary diaries. BMI and TST were subnormal in 57 and 72% of patients, respectively. CMB and albumin were normal in most. The protein intake was normal, whereas the energy intake tended to be low. Correlations were observed among different anthropomorphic measurements and dietary intake of nutrients. We conclude that there is a tendency to caloric, and in a lower degree protein malnutrition in our patients.