Anxiety sensitivity is associated with adverse body composition in hemodialysis patients

Routine hemodialysis (HD) is a life-saving yet stressful procedure, frequently accompanied by high rates of anxiety and depression, which negatively impact nutritional status and prognosis. Although anxiety sensitivity (AS), defined as the fear of anxiety-related bodily sensations, is a well-established vulnerability factor for psychopathology, to date it has not been evaluated in patients undergoing HD. The present study aimed to assess AS in a cohort of HD patients and examine its relationship with nutritional status. Fifty-one HD patients (30 men and 21 women) were assessed using the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised 36 questionnaire, and their nutritional status was evaluated through anthropometry, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), and dietary intake (FFQ). The mean age was 63.98 ± 14.41 years, and the average duration of HD treatment was 8.79 ± 5.22 years. Female patients exhibited significantly higher AS scores than males (64.95 ± 29.18 vs. 40.97 ± 32.72; p < 0.01). The study revealed significant novel correlations between AS and BIA-derived parameters, particularly phase angle (Φ), an established indicator of muscle quality and nutritional status. Regression analysis showed that higher AS was associated with lower Φ, lower skeletal muscle index (SMI), and higher extracellular water (ECW). The study revealed a novel association between a psychological factor and key health indicators in HD patients. These findings underscore the potential value of integrating AS screening into holistic patient care, as it may help identify individuals with less favorable psychological and physiological profiles among this vulnerable patient population.