NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS IN A NEPHROLOGY CLINIC IN JOÃO PESSOA-PB

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the nutritional status of patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis in a nephrology clinic in João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 43 patients of both sexes undergoing hemodialysis. A case report form with socio-economic profile, information about the disease, and anthropometric and biochemical data, was used for data collection. The data were analyzed on SPSS 21 statistical package using the Chi square test. Results: 56% of patients were male, with a mean age of 39.79 ± 11.42 years; 23% of the patients had completed elementary school, and the majority (37%) reported an income of one minimum wage. As to the etiology of chronic kidney disease, chronic glomerulonephritis was the most prevalent condition in both sexes. A total of 63% of women were eutrophic based on their Body Mass Index values. With regard to the arm circumference, arm muscle circumference and corrected arm muscle area, men were classified as having malnutrition revealing a muscle mass deficit. Among the biochemical indicators, only urea and calcium were exceeding the acceptable reference means in both sexes. Conclusions: The majority of the men investigated were found to have muscle deficit, while most women had normal weight based on the same parameters. In this study we showed that there is not a single parameter to comprehensively elucidate the nutritional status of the individual, making it necessary to use several indicators to identify existing risks or nutritional abnormalities. DESCRIPTORS Renal Insufficiency. Nutritional Status. Hemodialysis.