Nutritional status and the role of diabetes mellitus in hemodialysis patients

This study was aimed to investigate the nutritional status and the role of diabetes mellitus in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary assessments for HD 110 patients (46 males and 64 females) were conducted. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.1 kg/m(2) and prevalence of underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m(2)) was 12%. The hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dl) was found in 15.5% of the subject, and hypocholesterolemia (<150 mg/dl) in 46.4%. About half (50.9%) patients had anemia (hemoglobin: <11.0 g/dL). High prevalence of hyperphosphatemia (66.4%) and hyperkalemia (43.5%) was also observed. More than 60 percent of subjects were below the recommended intake levels of energy (30-35 kcal/kg IBW) and protein (1.2 g/kg IBW). The proportions of subjects taking less than estimated average requirements for calcium, vitamin B(1), vitamin B(2), vitamin C, and folate were more than 50%, whereas, about 20% of the subjects were above the recommended intake of phosphorus and potassium. Diabetes mellitus was the main cause of ESRD (45.5%). The diabetic ESRD patients showed higher BMI and less HD adequacy than nondiabetic patients. Diabetic patients also showed lower HDL-cholesterol levels. Diabetic ESRD patients had less energy from fat and a greater percentage of calories from carbohydrates. In conclusion, active nutrition monitoring is needed to improve the nutritional status of HD patients. A follow-up study is needed to document a causal relation between diabetes and its impact on morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients.