Abstract
The circumferential equipment and technology of haemodialysis (HD) have been remarkably improved over the past decade, which has been a great boon to HD patients. However, there are many HD complications that still must be overcome. In this study, we investigated nutritional assessment of 48 maintenance HD outpatients (Diabetic renal failure: 6 patients, Non-diabetic renal failure: 42 patients) using Buzdy's Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI). On analysis, there was no correlation between PNI and either the gender or age of HD patients. Then, we divided the HD patients into three groups. One group had a 0-1-year history of dialysis (Group I), the second group had a 1-10-year history (Group II) and the third group had more than a 10-year history of HD (Group III). The mean value in Group I was 47.3±1.4 percent, Group II was 19.3±16.9 percent, Group III was 25.71±14.2 percent and there was a significant difference between PNI and HD history. However, there was no correlation between PNI and the optimal HD indicators of Kt/V and PCR. There was a correlations between PNI and both T·P and Albumin, but there was no correlation between PNI and the other factors that comprise Buzdy's equation. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between PNI and daily energy intake of HD patients among Group II and Group III, but there was no correlation between PNI and daily protein intake. It is indispensable to maintain good nutritional status of HD patients in a bid to improve the survival rate and QOL, but even if we improve Kt/V and PCR, we cannot improve nutritional condition of HD patients. Our research strongly indicates that cachexia is a serious complication, especially among Group III patients.
