Evaluation of nutritional parameters in hemodialysis patients and determining the status of malnutrition

This study was carried out in the Tunceli State Hospital, to assess the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients by using Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) form and assess probable association between biochemical parameters and malnutrition in this population. In our study, 50 hemodialysis patient were assessed using demographic, medical history, anthropometric indices including dry weight, height, body mass index (BMI), biochemical measurement including hemoglobin (Hb) (g/dl), total protein (g/dl), albumin (g/dl), total cholesterol (mg/dl), triglycerides (mg/dl), etc. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 16.0 statistical software package. In our study, according to NRS-2002 form among 50 patients, 46% suffered from malnutrition. Our findings indicated a significant difference between patients' gender and the malnutrition (p=0,042). We did not find any significant difference between mean age and malnutrition. Mean age of malnourished hemodialysis (HD) patients was higher than well nourished patiens. We found significant difference between mean BMI and malnutrition (p<0,001). Mean BMI of malnourished HD patients was lower than well nourished patiens. In our study, there were statistically significant difference between BMI groups in malnourished patients (p=0,001). 34,8% of malnourished patients were below 18.5. 56,5% of malnourished patients were normal range of BMI. We found no significant difference between mean duration of hemodialysis and malnutrition. In our study, there was no statistically significant difference between mean of evaluated biochemical parameters levels and NRS-2002 form. There were statistically significant differences in mean t. protein, albumin, ferritin, ALP and UIBC levels in evaluated biochemical parameters of the study groups who follow the CKD diet and who do not. Therefore, in our study, we could not find adequate relationship between biochemical parameters (such as albumin, hemoglobin, cholesterol, and creatinine) and malnutrition revealed that these parameters could not provide accurate information about nutritional status of these patients. Furthermore, NRS-2002 can still be the best tool assessing the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients, because it can recognize various degrees of malnutrition that may remain undetected by a single laboratory assessment.