The evidence against malnutrition as a prominent problem for chronic dialysis patients.
A large number of dialysis patients have been classified as being malnourished because of anthropometric measurements and laboratory values that are similar to those in patients with protein-energy malnutrition. Malnutrition implies that abnormalities can be reversed with better nutrition. However, this approach of providing more nutrients in the diet has been unsuccessful in reversing these changes, suggesting that a diagnosis of malnutrition is generally a misdiagnosis for dialysis patients In this review we discuss mechanisms that cause a loss of protein stores, muscle mass, albumin, and other plasma proteins in dialysis patients. We also review the shortcomings of techniques that are used to measure the nutritional status of these patients.
Ahuja
Tejinder S
TS
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0562, USA. tahuja@utmb.edu
Mitch
William E
WE
D000886:Anthropometry; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism
D011506:Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin