Cross-sectional and longitudinal nutritional measurements in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Fifty-eight nondiabetic maintenance hemodialysis patients entered a continuing nutrition survey. Eighteen were followed at 6 and 18 months. Protein-calorie malnutrition was measured by diet survey, laboratory data, and anthropometric measurements. Of patients 50% ate less proteins/calories than prescribed. Triceps skinfold thickness, transferrin, and total lymphocyte count were subnormal in 72, 81, and 69% of patients, respectively. Weight/height ratio, body mass index, arm muscle circumference, and serum albumin were normal in most. Of the patients 62% had greater than three subnormal nutrition measurements. Only two had all measures normal. Longitudinally there was little change in the patients followed up to 18 months. The study shows that protein-calorie malnutrition is widespread in stable maintenance hemodialysis patients.