Abstract

Author(s): David da Silva, Ana Monique1; Maior Souto, Tatiana Correia2; Freitas, Fernanda da Fonseca3; Neves de Morais, Caroline1; Soares de Sousa, Bruno1

Introduction: Changes in the nutritional status of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in this population. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of patients undergoing hemodialysis program.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed in 62 patients aged over 18 in the regular HD program for more than three months, from October 2013 to May 2014. The nutritional status was determined through the evaluation of anthropometric and biochemical data and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). Anthropometric measurements were collected: body mass index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), triceps skinfold (TSF), arm muscle circumference (AMB) and waist circumference (WC). The biochemical data as serum albumin, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, pre and post-dialysis urea, hemoglobin, total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose and total lymphocyte count was also assessed.

Results: The most prevalent nutritional alteration was malnutrition. Its prevalence showed wide variation, depending on the method used, ranging from 64.5%, 44.3%, 37.1% and 35.5% for measures of TSF, BMI, AMB and WC, respectively.

Discussion: The comparison between the undernourished and well-nourished groups by SGA showed significant differences between nutritional parameters, with lower fitness values of WC, TSF, AC and albumin in the group of malnourished patients

Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of malnutrition in this population, with variations depending on the parameter used. The SGA has proven to be a good parameter in determining the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients.