title: The Effect of BCAA and ISO-WHEY Oral Nutritional Supplements on Dialysis Adequacy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Protein-energy malnutrition is a common problem in hemodialysis patients and has different outcomes such as reduced quality of life, longer hospitalization time, lower dialysis adequacy, and higher mortality rate. Investigation of dialysis adequacy is an important method for assessing hemodialysis patients, and improving the dialysis adequacy is an important healthcare team goal.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aims to investigate and compare the effects of BCAA and ISO-WHEY oral nutritional supplements on dialysis adequacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a clinical trial study, 66 hemodialysis patients were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (n = 22), Group B (n = 22), and Group C or the control group (n = 22). In Groups A and B, as prescribed and controlled by nutritionists and nephrologists, respectively, ISO-WHEY and BCAA protein powder were used for 2 months on a daily basis. For all groups, before intervention and 1 and 2 months after intervention, the dialysis adequacy was measured using URR and Kt/V. Finally, the data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Base 21.0 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 66 patients, 61 (19 in Group A, 20 in Group B, and 22 in Group C) completed the study period, and before intervention, all groups were equal in terms of quality and quantity variables (P > 0.05). After intervention, there was a significant difference between the three groups with regard to the variables of dialysis adequacy based on Kt/V and URR to independent-t test and repeated measures ANOVA (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results show that the intake of oral nutritional supplements leads to an improvement in the dialysis adequacy of hemodialysis patients. Therefore, the use of nutritional supplements along with patients' training and regular consultation will be helpful in improving the nutritional status, dialysis adequacy, and eventually the quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Faculty, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Effat
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Afaghi
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tayebi
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebadi
authors.affiliation: Exercise Physiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sobhani
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Einollahi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tayebi
keywords: Dialysis; Dialysis Adequacy; Hemodialysis; Malnutrition; Oral Nutritional Supplements