Dietary intake in hemodialysis patients does not reflect a heart healthy diet

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cardiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).
• Dietary factors contributing to CVD risk in MHD patients are not well understood.
• This study investigates adherence to CVD risk reduction dietary guidelines in MHD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the dietary intake of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).
• To determine if MHD patients meet recommended guidelines for cardiovascular risk reduction.
• To identify specific dietary components that may be inadequate in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing the validated "Block Dialysis 1 Food Frequency Questionnaire" was conducted.
• Seventy patients (38 men, 32 women) undergoing MHD completed the questionnaire with dietitian supervision.
• Dietary intake of calories, soluble fiber, saturated fatty acids (SFA), unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), and protein were the primary outcome measures.

Main Results:

• Mean fiber intake was 10.77 g/day, with only 2.9% meeting the >25 g/day recommendation.
• Most patients had inadequate intake of beneficial nutrients: 91.4% had UFA intake ≤30%, and 64% had SFA intake <10%.
• Dietary patterns showed high carbohydrate intake (<60% for 94.3%) and protein intake (≥15% for 31.4%) in a significant portion of patients.

Conclusions:

• The majority of MHD patients do not adhere to dietary guidelines aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
• Dietary modifications, such as increasing unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and soluble fiber while reducing saturated fatty acids (SFA), can improve lipid profiles.
• These findings highlight the need for targeted nutritional interventions in MHD patients to mitigate CVD risk.