title: Nutritional Markers and Body Composition in Hemodialysis Patients.
abstract: The aims of this study were to analyse body composition, to detect the presence of undernutrition, and to establish a relationship between undernutrition and the biological markers routinely used as indicators of nutritional status in hemodialysis (HD) patients (pts). We used a body composition monitor (BCM) that expresses body weight in terms of lean tissue mass (LTM) and fat tissue mass (FTM) independent of hydration status. From nine HD units, 934 pts were included. Undernutrition was defined as having a lean tissue index (LTI = LTM/height(2)) below the 10th percentile of a reference population. Biochemical markers and parameters delivered by BCM were used to compare low LTI and normal LTI groups. Undernutrition prevalence was 58.8% of the population studied. Low LTI pts were older, were significantly more frequently overhydrated, and had been on HD for a longer period of time than the normal LTI group. FTI (FTI = FTM/ height(2)) was significantly higher in low LTI pts and increased according to BMI. LTI was not influenced by different BMI levels. Albumin and C-reactive protein correlated inversely (r = -0.28). However neither of them was statistically different when considering undernourished and normal LTI pts. Our BCM study was able to show a high prevalence of undernutrition, as expressed by low LTI. In our study, BMI and other common markers, such as albumin, failed to predict malnutrition as determined by BCM.
authors.affiliation: FME Burzaco, 2289 Espora Avenue, Burzaco, B1852FZD Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valtuille
authors.affiliation: FME Burzaco, 2289 Espora Avenue, Burzaco, B1852FZD Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Maria Elisa
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Casos
authors.affiliation: Universidad Católica de Cordoba, 3555 Armada Argentina Avenue, X5016DHK Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Elmer Andres
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: FMC Argentina, 707 Arenales Street, C1061AAA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guinsburg
authors.affiliation: FMC Argentina, 707 Arenales Street, C1061AAA Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marelli