[Nutritional status in chronic renal failure patients assisted at the hemodialysis program of the "Hermanos Ameijeiras" Hospital].
BACKGROUND
Heterogeneity of malnutrition rates associated with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) under Haemodialysis (HD) points towards differing performances of the used indicators.


OBJECTIVE
To identify those indicators that better describe the nutritional state of the patient with ESRD under HD.


METHODS
Program of Haemodialysis, Service of Nephrology, "Hermanos Ameijeiras" Hospital (Havana City, Cuba).


METHODS
Twenty-eight patients were recruited. Hospital admissions between december 2001-december 2002 were recorded. The condition of the patient (alive/deceased) after one year of observation was registered. The Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) form was administered to each patient. The nutritional profile included: height, weight, mid-arm circumference (MAC), triceps skinfold (TSF), albumin and total lymphocyte count (TLC). Nutritional status as described by means of albumin and MAC was correlated with SGA score, the ocurrence of hospital admissions and the final condition of the patient.


RESULTS
Malnutrition rates were as follows (albumin < 35 g/L): 42.9%; (MAC < cut-off value): 60.7%; [(MAC < cut-off value) and/or (albumin < 35)]: 71.4%; (SGA score = At Risk/Malnourished): 42.9%. SGA score was an independent predictor of the ocurrence of admissions [OR = 14.14; CI 95%: 1.5-137.3] and mortality [OR = 21.0; CI 95%: 2.9-151.4]. Serum albumin was an independent predictor of the patient's mortality [OR = 21.0; CI 95%: 2.9-151.4]. The [(MAC < Cut-off value) and/or (albumin < 35)] rule failed to predict patient's morbimortality. Seventy-seven point eight percent of patients with +60 years-old died during the year of observation [OR = 13.2; IC 95%: 1.9-89.5].


CONCLUSIONS
Increased mortality associated with diminished values of albumin and MAC justifies the fostering of nutritional intervention aimed to preserve lean tissues.
Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital Clínico-Quirúrgico "Hermanos Ameijeiras", Cuba.
V Ordóñez
VO
Pérez
E Barranco
EB
Hernández
G Guerra
GG
Bustillo
J Barreto
JB
Penié
S Santana
SS
Porbén
A Espinosa
AE
Borrás
C Martínez
CM
González
A Anías
AA
Martínez
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D006435:Renal Dialysis