Pre-dialysis serum albumin is a poor indicator of nutritional status in stable chronic haemodialysis patients.
The correlation between pre-dialysis serum albumin and mortality has been linked with malnutrition. We measured pre and post-dialysis albumin in 86 stable haemodialysis patients and compared them with anthropometric measurements and body mass index (BMI). On the basis of pre-dialysis albumin 13% of patients would be classified as high risk, whilst on the basis of post-dialysis albumin only 12% would be classified as high risk. Change in albumin could be predicted by fluid removal during haemodialysis. Pre-dialysis albumin correlated weakly with mid upper arm circumference (MUAC). Post dialysis albumin correlated with MUAC and triceps skin fold thickness (TSF). There was a weak negative correlation between age and post-dialysis albumin. TSF strongly correlated with MUAC and BMI. Pre-dialysis albumin appears to be a poor predictor of nutritional status and does not correlate well with other nutritional parameters. The excess risk of death associated with a low pre-dialysis albumin may be related to fluid overload rather than malnutrition.
Aston Cross Dialysis Centre, UK.
J
J
Dutton
H
H
Campbell
J
J
Tanner
N
N
Richards
D000886:Anthropometry; D001810:Blood Volume; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*
D012709:Serum Albumin