MIA syndrome in peritoneal dialysis: prevention and treatment

Malnutrition, inflammation and atherosclerosis are prevalent in end stage renal disease and constitute the Malnutrition-Inflammation-Atherosclerosis Syndrome. The syndrome is associated with high cardiovascular mortality and accounts for most of the premature deaths in peritoneal dialysis patients. Presence of elevated C-reactive protein levels correlates with malnutrition, decreased fluid removal and mortality in these patients. Early recognition of the syndrome is important to identify high risk patients. Nutritional support, changes in dialysis and drug therapy may decrease the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.