Establishing a clinical phenotype for cachexia in end stage kidney disease - study protocol

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Clinical Nutrition
• Chronic Disease Management

Background:

• Muscle wasting (cachexia) is prevalent in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), affecting up to 75% of dialysis patients.
• ESKD is linked to inflammation and cachexia, characterized by anorexia, lean muscle loss, and altered energy expenditure.
• Existing cachexia definitions for other chronic diseases do not apply to ESKD, hindering research and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the clinical phenotype of cachexia specific to individuals with end-stage kidney disease.
• To establish a precise definition for cachexia in ESKD to standardize research and clinical interventions.
• To improve quality of life and reduce premature mortality associated with cachexia in ESKD patients.

Main Methods:

• A 12-month longitudinal study of adult ESKD patients undergoing hemodialysis in the UK.
• Bi-monthly collection of data on weight, lean muscle mass, muscle strength, fatigue, anorexia, and quality of life.
• Assessment of the degree to which patients exhibit known cachexia characteristics.

Main Results:

• Data collection on patient characteristics and cachexia indicators is ongoing.
• Analysis will identify the specific clinical phenotype of cachexia in the ESKD population.

Conclusions:

• A specific cachexia definition for ESKD is crucial for accurate incidence studies and treatment development.
• This research will provide essential data to inform clinical practice, policy, and education for ESKD patients with cachexia.
• Establishing a standardized definition will facilitate the testing of novel treatment modalities to improve patient outcomes.