Prevalence of malnutrition for elderly hemodialysis patients

The prevalence of the terminal chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis is rising steadily especially for the elderly. Its evolution is fraught with complications including protein-energy malnutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predominance of protein-energy malnutrition among elderly hemodialysis patients.

This cross-sectional descriptive study included 40 elderly hemodialysis patients recruited at the M8 nephrology department of Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis. All patients went through a clinical examination, a biological assessment, a dietary survey based on food registration for 3 consecutive days and the calculation of nutritional risk scores (MNA and GNRI).

The Average  of hemodialysis was of 7 ± 3.8 years. The average energy intake of the patients was 25.3 ± 12.3 kcal / kg of ideal weight per day. The weight evolution during the last 6 months preceding the study was marked by a weight loss exceeding the 10 % in 12 % of the cases. A BMI less than 21 kg / m² was noted in 73.7 % of the women and 47.6 % of the men. The brachial circumference was less than 22 cm in 36.8 % of the women and 23.6 % of the men. One-third (32.5 %) of the study population had a calf circumference that is less than 31 cm. Most patients (67.5 %) had hypoalbuminaemia. The predominance of malnutrition according to the 2007 HAS criteria was 71% among hemodialysis patients. The majority of women (78.9 %) and 57.1 % of men had GNRI less than or equal to 98.

Protein-energy malnutrition is a common and serious pathological situation in elderly hemodialysis patients which can be life-threatening.