Effect of Dialysis Adequacy in Nutritional Status and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are unable to sustain life without hemodialysis. So, adequacy of hemodialysis is the main treatment for this patient.

Adequacy of hemodialysis can be appeared on patient clinically by improve Quality of life and life expectancy, increase appetite and weight gain, control blood pressure, no bone disease, control of acidosis and anemia, Relief of uremic symptoms as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, muscle cramps, pruritus, or changes in mental status.

Malnutrition is a major issue in patients undergoing hemodialysis and is observed in approximately 20% - 70% of this group. Malnutrition is a serious predictive factor for mortality and morbidity accompanied by an increase in the rate of hospitalization, less physical activity, lower quality of life.

An imbalance between energy and protein gain and food metabolism, metabolic acidosis, dietary restrictions, anorexia and poor appetite, protein and nutrient loss during dialysis, underlying diseases, such as cardiovascular problems, infection, poor nutrition management, inadequate dialysis, etc. are among influencing factors on the nutrition of hemodialysis patients.

Among patients undergoing hemodialysis, 6% to 8% suffer from severe malnutrition and 30% - 65% from mild malnutrition. The results of some studies have shown that one of the important causes of malnutrition is low dialysis adequacy in patients undergoing hemodialysis.