Effect of nutritional intervention on malnutrition indicators in patients on haemodialysis

To formulate a nutrient supplement using low cost, commonly available food ingredients and test its efficacy on various nutritional parameters in haemodialysis (HD) subjects.

Prospective intervention study.

15 subjects who did not have diabetes were recruited for the study. The subjects served as self controls.

The subjects received a multi-nutrient formulation for a period of 3 months. Somatic status [weight, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), mid upper arm muscle circumference (MUAMC), waist and hip measurements], biochemical parameters [blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total iron binding capacity (TIBC),serum levels of creatinine, albumin, triglycerides, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and high sensitive C-reactive protein(HsCRP)], dietary intake and malnutrition inflammation score (MIS) were assessed.

Significant increments (P ≤ 0.01) in anthropometric measurements. Significant increases (P ≤ 0.01) in Hb, BUN, serum creatinine, albumin and total protein and a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.01) in HsCRP and MIS were observed at the end of the study. An increase in baseline food/nutrient intake was also observed.

Nutritional supplementation designed for haemodialysis, improved their nutritional status in the short term study.