Effect of Dialysis Time on Dietary Intake, Body Composition, Muscle Strength, and Nutritional Status of Hemodialysis Patients

The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term changes that occur in the nutrition status, dietary intake, biochemical values, anthropometric measurements, body composition, and muscle strengths of hemodialysis patients. A total of 60 patients aged between 18 and 64 who were on dialysis for six months were included in the study. During the four-year follow-up; 17 patients died, four were transferred, and 6 moved to other provinces. The patient’s food intake, biochemical values, anthropometric measurements, body compositions, handgrip strengths (HGS), and physical activity status were reviewed and subjective global assessment (SGA) was assessed at the beginning and the end of the four-year follow-up period. A statistically significant difference was found between the baseline and end-of-period SGA classifications of the patients (P <0.05). While there were no statistically significant differences at the end of the follow-up period in terms of the body weight, body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, mid-upper arm muscle circumference, body water, lean body mass, creatinine, energy intake, protein intake values of the patients; there were significant differences in terms of their triceps skin-fold thicknesses, percentage of body mass, HGS, blood urea nitrogen levels, total protein, and albumin values (P <0.05). Extended time on dialysis leads to decrease values of albumin and HGS, increased rates of malnutrition. © 2021 Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation.