Longitudinal changes in nutritional parameters and resting energy expenditure in end-stage renal disease

AIMS: To evaluate the nutritional status, resting energy expenditure, caloric and protein intake, and evolution of biochemical parameters in three stages of chronic kidney disease: pre-dialytic, at the beginning of the dialysis treatment, and 30 days after starting treatment. METHODS: The chi-square and Student’s t tests were used to compare the variables, and analysis of repeated measurements was used to compare the data obtained in the three moments evaluated. The results were discussed at the 5% level of significance. RESULTS: We evaluated 35 patients, 60% female and 60% with diabetes mellitus. There was a decrease in midarm circumference and serum albumin. Inflammatory state and caloric and protein intake increased. There was no significant difference in resting energy expenditure in the three moments. The serum urea and serum albumin, handgrip strength, and protein consumption after 30 days from the start of dialysis were greater in the peritoneal dialysis patients, when compared to the hemodialysis population. CONCLUSION: there was a decrease in midarm circumference and serum albumin and an increase in protein intake after dialysis. The peritoneal dialysis patients had higher muscle strength, even with lower protein intake. Resting energy expenditure was not different between dialysis methods and the moments evaluated.