Unlocking the Potential of Brewers' Spent Grain: A Sustainable Model to Use Beer for Better Outcome in Chronic Kidney Disease.

The rising global incidence of chronic inflammatory diseases calls for innovative and sustainable medical solutions. Brewers' spent grain (BSG), a byproduct of beer production, presents a unique opportunity in this regard. This review explores the multifaceted health benefits of BSG, with a focus on managing chronic kidney disease (CKD). BSG is identified as a potent prebiotic with potential as a therapeutic agent in CKD. We emphasize the role of gut dysbiosis in CKD and discuss how BSG could help mitigate metabolic derangements resulting from dysbiosis and CKD. Fermentation of BSG further enhances its positive impact on gut health. Incorporating fermented BSG as a key component in preventive health care could promote a more sustainable and healthier future. By optimizing the use of this typically discarded byproduct, we can align proactive health-care strategies with responsible resource management, benefiting both people and the environment.

Dietary needs, barriers, and facilitators among patients on hemodialysis and their caregivers: The GoodRENal Project in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: Dietary restrictions are common in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). These restrictions result in a complex diet that becomes difficult for patients to understand and to follow. Therefore, we aimed to identify dietary needs, and barriers and facilitators that influence the adherence to dietary recommendations as perceived by patients on HD and their caregivers. METHODS: Seventy-two Spanish patients on HD and fifty-seven caregivers participated in this explorative study by replying a questionnaire consisting of 20 and 10 questions respectively. The responses were assessed using a Likert scale varying from 1 to 5 (strongly agree, agree, neither disagree or disagree, disagree, strongly disagree, respectively) to evaluate the perception of patients and caregivers regarding dietary needs, barriers and facilitators to adhere to the recommended diet. For analysis purposes, the responses were grouped in three categories (agree, neither agree or disagree, disagree). RESULTS: Seventy percent of the patients agreed that knowing the food sources of potassium, protein and phosphate was a need for them to know to be able to adhere to the dietary recommendations. Moreover, patients stated that not being able to eat what they liked, and feeling thirsty, were important barriers. For caregivers, the support of a renal dietitian was mentioned as an important facilitator to assist those they cared for to adhere to the diet. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing food sources of potassium, phosphate, and protein, exploring foods patients like to eat and adjusting fluid intake to avoid feeling thirsty were identified as important by the patients. These findings can be used to develop strategies and educational material to improve the dietary adherence in patients undergoing HD. Moreover, the presence of a renal dietitian was identified as an important resource by the caregivers.

Nutritional Status of Patients Starting on Peritoneal Dialysis: A Comparison Between Planned and Unplanned Dialysis Initiation.

OBJECTIVE: A suboptimal dialysis initiation with insufficient or no planning before urgent start of dialysis remains a common problem associated with increased morbimortality. Whether nutritional markers differ between patients starting peritoneal dialysis (PD) in unplanned and planned modes has not yet been explored. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether the nutritional status at the start of dialysis differed between patients with unplanned and planned PD initiation. METHODS: In this observational study comprising 47 adult patients starting PD (age 58 ± 15 years, 51% female), 29 patients had unplanned (starting dialysis up to 72 hours after peritoneal catheter implantation) and 18 planned (follow-up predialysis >90 days) dialysis initiation. Within 30 days of PD initiation, nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometric measurements, multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, appetite assessment, handgrip strength, laboratory markers, and the malnutrition-inflammation score. Physical activity and performance were also evaluated. RESULTS: Patients with an unplanned PD initiation had a higher frequency of diabetes, higher blood glucose, urea, and glycated hemoglobin levels, and lower hemoglobin and albumin levels. Furthermore, they had a lower calf circumference, slower gait speed, higher protein intake, and greater malnutrition-inflammation score, while their physical activity level and appetite did not differ. CONCLUSION: Patients with an unplanned PD had unfavorable clinical and nutritional markers compared with those with planned PD. These findings indicate that a lack of follow-up prior to dialysis initiation can influence the clinical and nutritional statuses of patients, reinforcing the importance of conservative treatment prior to dialysis initiation.

Needs, barriers and facilitators for a healthier lifestyle in haemodialysis patients: The GoodRENal project.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition, sedentary lifestyle, cognitive dysfunction and poor psychological well-being are often reported in patients on haemodialysis (HD). AIMS: We aimed to explore needs, barriers and facilitators-as perceived by patients, their carers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) for increasing the adherence to the diet, to physical activity and cognition and psychological well-being. METHODS: This is an observational cross-sectional study following the STROBE statement. This study is part of an ERASMUS+ project, GoodRENal-aiming to develop digital tools as an educational approach to patients on HD. For that, the GoodRENal comprises HD centers located in four Belgium, Greece, Spain and Sweden. Exploratory questionnaires were developed regarding the perceived needs, barriers and facilitators regarding the diet, physical activity, cognition and psychological well-being from the perspective of patients, their carers and HCPs. RESULTS: In total, 38 patients, 34 carers and 38 HCPs were included. Nutrition: For patients and carers, the main needs to adhere to the diet included learning more about nutrients and minerals. For patients, the main barrier was not being able to eat what they like. Physical activity: As needs it was reported information about type of appropriate physical activity, while fatigue was listed as the main barrier. For Cognitive and emotional state, it was perceived as positive for patients and carers perception but not for HCPs. The HCPs identified as needs working as a team, having access to specialised HCP and being able to talk to patients in private. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and their carers listed as needs guidance regarding nutrition and physical activity but were positive with their cognitive and emotional state. The HCPs corroborated these needs and emphasised the importance of teamwork and expert support.

Design and methodology of the SARCopenia trajectories and associations with adverse clinical outcomes in patients on HemoDialysis: the SARC-HD study.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly in those undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, the trajectories across sarcopenia stages, their determinants, and associations with adverse clinical outcomes have yet to be comprehensively examined. METHODS: The SARC-HD is a multicenter, observational prospective cohort study designed to comprehensively investigate sarcopenia in patients on HD. Eligibility criteria include adult patients undergoing HD for ≥ 3 months. The primary objective is to investigate the trajectories of sarcopenia stages and their potential determinants. Secondary objectives include evaluating the association between sarcopenia and adverse clinical outcomes (i.e., falls, hospitalization, and mortality). Sarcopenia risk will be assessed by the SARC-F and SARC-CalF questionnaire. Sarcopenia traits (i.e., low muscle strength, low muscle mass, and low physical performance) will be defined according to the revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People and will be assessed at baseline and after 12 follow-up months. Patients will be followed-up at 3 monthly intervals for adverse clinical outcomes during 24 months. DISCUSSION: Collectively, we expect to provide relevant clinical findings for healthcare professionals from nephrology on the association between sarcopenia screening tools (i.e., SARC-F and SARC-CalF) with objective sarcopenia measurements, as well as to investigate predictors of trajectories across sarcopenia stages, and the impact of sarcopenia on adverse clinical outcomes. Hence, our ambition is that the data acquired from SARC-HD study will provide novel and valuable evidence to support an adequate screening and management of sarcopenia in patients on HD.

Planetary Health, Nutrition, and Chronic Kidney Disease: Connecting the Dots for a Sustainable Future.

The increasing consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) and the global chain of food production have a negative impact on human health and planetary health. These foods have been replacing the consumption of nonprocessed healthy foods. This shift has not only worsened human health by increasing the risk of the development of noncommunicable diseases, but also resulted in environmental perturbations. This review aims to bring awareness of the problems caused by the industrialized food production chain, addressing the negative effects it has on the environment and human health, with special reference to chronic kidney disease (CKD). We discuss possible solutions focusing on the benefits of adopting plant-based diets with low UPF content to promote a sustainable and healthy food production and diet for patients with CKD. For a sustainable future we need to "connect the dots" of planetary health, food production, and nutrition in the context of CKD.

New Insights Into Dietary Approaches to Potassium Management in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Potassium disorders are one of the most common electrolyte abnormalities in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing to poor clinical outcomes. Maintaining serum potassium levels within the physiologically normal range is critically important in these patients. Dietary potassium restriction has long been considered a core strategy for the management of chronic hyperkalemia in patients with CKD. However, this has been challenged by recent evidence suggesting a paradigm shift toward fostering more liberalized, plant-based dietary patterns. The advent of novel potassium binders and an improved understanding of gastrointestinal processes involved in potassium homeostasis (e.g., gastrointestinal potassium wasting) may facilitate a paradigm shift and incorporation of heart-healthy potassium-enriched food sources. Nevertheless, uncertainty regarding the risk-benefit of plant-based diets in the context of potassium management in CKD remains, requiring well-designed clinical trials to determine the efficacy of dietary potassium manipulation toward improvement of clinical outcomes in patients with CKD.

A Comparative Analysis of Nutritional Assessment Using Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition Versus Subjective Global Assessment and Malnutrition Inflammation Score in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is a prevalent condition in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the recently developed GLIM (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition) in MHD by assessing the agreement, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and survival prediction of GLIM when compared to 7-point subjective global assessment (7p-SGA) and malnutrition inflammation score (MIS). DESIGN AND METHODS: We investigated 2 cohorts: MHDltaly (121 adults from Italy; 67 ± 16 years, 65% men, body mass index 25 ± 5 kg/m2) and MHDBrazil (169 elderly [age > 60 years] from Brazil; 71 ± 7 years, 66% men, body mass index 25 ± 4 kg/m2), followed for all-cause mortality for median 40 and 17 months, respectively. We applied the 2-step approach from GLIM: (1) screening and (2) confirming malnutrition by phenotypic and etiologic criteria. For 7p-SGA and MIS, a score ≤5 and ≥8, respectively, defined malnutrition. RESULTS: Malnutrition was present in 38.8% by GLIM, 25.6% by 7p-SGA, and 29.7% by MIS in the MHDItaly cohort, and in 47.9% by GLIM, 59.8% by 7p-SGA, and 49.7% by MIS in the MHDBrazil cohort. Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) showed only "fair" agreement between GLIM and SGA (MHDItaly: κ = 0.26, P = .003; MHDBrazil: κ = 0.22, P = .003) and between GLIM and MIS (MHDItaly: κ = 0.33, P < .001; MHDBrazil: κ = 0.25, P = .001). Cox regression analysis showed that all 3 methods were able to predict mortality in crude analysis; however in the adjusted model, the association seemed more consistent and stronger in magnitude for 7p-SGA and MIS. CONCLUSION: In MHD patients, GLIM showed low agreement, sensitivity, and accuracy in identifying malnourished subjects by either 7p-SGA or MIS. Considering the specific wasting characteristics that predominate in MHD, the well-established 7p-SGA and MIS methods may be more useful in this clinical setting.

Strategies designed to increase the motivation for and adherence to dietary recommendations in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often requires several dietary adjustments to control the disease-related disturbances. This is challenging for both patients and healthcare providers, and particularly for dietitians, who deal closely with the poor adherence to dietary recommendations. Factors associated with poor adherence within the CKD scenario and the need for a shift in the paradigm have already been indicated in several studies; however, rarely are any different and/or potential strategies actually formulated in order to change this paradigm. In this review, we aimed to explore the concepts and factors surrounding adherence to dietary recommendations in CKD and further describe certain potential strategies for a nutritional counseling approach. Such strategies, while poorly explored within CKD, have shown positive results in other chronic disease scenarios. It is timely, therefore, for healthcare providers to acquire these new counseling skills; nevertheless, this would require a rethinking of the traditional attitudes and approaches in order to build a partnership, based on a nonjudgmental and compassionate style in order to guide behavior change. The reflections presented in this review may contribute towards enhancing motivation and the adherence to dietary recommendations in CKD patients.

Nutritional status, hyperkalaemia and attainment of energy/protein intake targets in haemodialysis patients following plant-based diets: a longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) are often discouraged from eating fruits and vegetables because of fears of hyperkalaemia and undernutrition, yet evidence to support these claims is scarce. We here explore the association between adherence to a healthy plant-based diet with serum potassium, surrogates of nutritional status and attainment of energy/protein intake targets in HD patients. METHODS: We performed an observational single-centre study of stable patients undergoing HD with repeated dietary assessment every 3 months. Patients were provided with personalized nutritional counselling according to current guidelines. The diet was evaluated by 3-day food records and characterized by a healthy plant-based diet score (HPDS), which scores positively the intake of plant foods and negatively animal foods and sugar. The malnutrition inflammation score (MIS) and serum potassium were also assessed at each visit. We used mixed-effects models to evaluate the association of the HPDS with markers of nutritional status, serum potassium levels and attainment of energy/protein intake targets. RESULTS: After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 150 patients contributing to 470 trimestral observations were included. Their mean age was 42 years [standard deviation (SD) 18] and 59% were women. In multivariable models, a higher HPDS was not associated with serum potassium levels or odds of hyperkalaemia {potassium >5.5 mEq/L; odds ratio [OR] 1.00 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.07] per HPDS unit higher}. Patients with a higher HPDS did not differ in terms of energy intake [OR for consuming <30 kcal/kg day 1.05 (95% CI 0.97-1.13)] but were at risk of low protein intake [OR for consuming <1.1 g of protein/kg/day 1.11 (95% CI 1.04-1.19)]. A higher HPDS was associated with a lower MIS, indicating better nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing HD, adherence to a healthy plant-based diet was not associated with serum potassium, hyperkalaemia or differences in energy intake. Although these patients were less likely to reach daily protein intake targets, they appeared to associate with better nutritional status over time.

Does dietary potassium intake associate with hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease?

BACKGROUND: Dietary potassium restriction is a strategy to control hyperkalemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, hyperkalemia may result from a combination of clinical conditions. This study aimed to investigate whether dietary potassium or the intake of certain food groups associate with serum potassium in the face of other risk factors. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis including a nondialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD) cohort and a hemodialysis (HD) cohort. Dietary potassium intake was assessed by 3-day food records. Underreporters with energy intake lower than resting energy expenditure were excluded. Hyperkalemia was defined as serum potassium >5.0 mEq/L. RESULTS: The NDD-CKD cohort included 95 patients {median age 67 [interquartile range (IQR) 55-73] years, 32% with diabetes mellitus (DM), median estimated glomerular filtration rate 23 [IQR 18-29] mL/min/1.73 m2} and the HD cohort included 117 patients [median age 39 (IQR 18-67) years, 50% with DM]. In NDD-CKD, patients with hyperkalemia (36.8%) exhibited lower serum bicarbonate and a tendency for higher serum creatinine, a higher proportion of DM and the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers, but lower use of sodium bicarbonate supplements. No association was found between serum and dietary potassium (r = 0.01; P = 0.98) or selected food groups. Conditions associated with hyperkalemia in multivariable analysis were DM {odds ratio [OR] 3.55 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-11.72]} and metabolic acidosis [OR 4.35 (95% CI 1.37-13.78)]. In HD, patients with hyperkalemia (50.5%) exhibited higher serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and lower malnutrition inflammation score and a tendency for higher dialysis vintage and body mass index. No association was found between serum and potassium intake (r = -0.06, P = 0.46) or food groups. DM [OR 4.22 (95% CI 1.31-13.6)] and serum creatinine [OR 1.50 (95% CI 1.24-1.81)] were predictors of hyperkalemia in multivariable analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary potassium was not associated with serum potassium or hyperkalemia in either NDD-CKD or HD patients. Before restricting dietary potassium, the patient's intake of potassium should be carefully evaluated and other potential clinical factors related to serum potassium balance should be considered in the management of hyperkalemia in CKD.

Muscle Mass Assessed by Computed Tomography at the Third Lumbar Vertebra Predicts Patient Survival in Chronic Kidney Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Muscle mass is a key element for the evaluation of nutritional disturbances in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Low muscle mass is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The assessment of muscle mass by computed tomography at the third lumbar vertebra region (CTMM-L3) is an accurate method not subject to errors from fluctuation in the hydration status. Therefore, we aimed at investigating whether CTMM-L3 was able to predict mortality in nondialyzed CKD 3-5 patients. METHODS: This is a prospective observational cohort study. We evaluated 223 nondialyzed CKD patients (60.3 ± 10.6 years; 64% men; 50% diabetics; glomerular filtration rate 20.7 ± 9.6 mLmin1.73 m2). Muscle mass was measured by CTMM-L3 using the Slice-O-Matic software and analyzed according to percentile adjusted by gender. Nutritional parameters, laboratory data, and comorbidities were evaluated, and mortality was followed up for 4 years. RESULTS: During the study period, 63 patients died, and the main cause of death was cardiovascular disease. Patients who died were older, had lower hemoglobin and albumin, as well as lower muscle markers. CTMM-L3 below the 25th percentile was associated with higher mortality according to the Kaplan-Meier curve (P = .017) and in Cox regression analysis (crude hazard ratio, 1.87 [95% confidence interval, 1.11-3.16]), also when adjusting for potential confounders (hazard ratio 1.83 [95% confidence interval 1.02-3.30]). CONCLUSION: Low muscle mass measured by computed tomography at the third lumbar vertebra region is an independent predictor of increased mortality in nondialyzed CKD patients.

Design and methodology of the Aging Nephropathy Study (AGNES): a prospective cohort study of elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is usually indicated for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with glomerular filtration rate below 10 ml/ml/min/1.73m2. However, the need for RRT and timing of dialysis initiation are debatable for patients aged 70 years or older. We here describe the study design and methodology of the Aging Nephropathy Study (AGNES) protocol that aims at evaluating to what extent geriatric-related conditions such as frailty, cognitive dysfunction, and presence of comorbidities have an impact on survival and RRT initiation in this group of patients. In this manuscript we provide detailed information about the AGNES study design and methodology. METHODS: AGNES is a prospective observational cohort that aim to investigate clinical, biochemical and demographic factors associated with RRT initiation and mortality of patients with CKD stage 4 or 5 who are aged 70 years and older. We plan to include 200 patients over 5 years. Clinically stable outpatients on conservative management for at least 6 months will be recruited from the Nephrogeriatric Clinic at the Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Eligible patients are submitted to a full clinical examination, geriatric assessment, and blood test at baseline. Following the baseline visit the patients are being monitored during an observational follow up period of at least 12 months during which patients will be contacted in the clinic at their regular follow up or by phone until either RRT initiation or death occurs. This cohort includes evaluation of cognition by the education-adjusted 10-point Cognitive Screener (10-CS), frailty by Fried index score, a complete nutritional assessment (by body composition assessment, global subjective assessment and dietary intake), comorbidities by Charlson comorbidity index and biochemical markers including FGF-23 and Klotho. DISCUSSION: The AGNES cohort, a real-world study of current clinical practice in elderly patients with advanced CKD prior to dialysis initiation, will shed light into progression of CKD and its complications, indications of RRT and factors determining survival. This investigation will elucidate to what extent geriatric conditions, nutritional status and clinical factors are associated with survival, quality of life and RRT initiation in elderly CKD patients not yet on dialysis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 18 October 2019 ( NCT04132492 ).

Food Consumption in Chronic Kidney Disease: Association With Sociodemographic and Geographical Variables and Comparison With Healthy Individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the food consumption of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) per sociodemographic and geographical characteristics and CKD treatment. In addition, we compared the food consumption of individuals with and without CKD. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using data from the National Health Survey (Brazil 2013) that included 60,202 individuals. Food consumption was evaluated with the following food intake markers: (1) regular consumption of fruit, vegetables, beans, milk, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), sweets, red meat, and chicken; (2) weekly intake of fish; and (3) consumption of meat or chicken with excess fat, excess salt, and alcoholic beverage. The prevalence of these indicators was described per sociodemographic (gender, age, educational level, and race/skin color) and geographical (location of residence and geographical regions) variables in CKD and non-CKD individuals. Unadjusted and multiple logistic regression models, adjusted by sociodemographic and geographical variables, were applied. RESULTS: 60,202 individuals were divided into 5 groups: (1) non-CKD (n 5 59,363), (2) non-dialysis-dependent (n 5 480), (3) dialysis (n 5 48), (4) renal transplanted (n 5 17), and (5) untreated CKD (n 5 294). Age, education level, and geographic region were associated with food markers. Comparisons among those with CKD by treatment group showed that the dialysis group had a lower regular consumption of beans, alcoholic beverages, and salt in excess. Upon further comparisons with the non-CKD group, the CKD group (especially that in dialysis) showed a significantly lower regular consumption of beans, red meat, SSBs, salt in excess, and alcoholic beverages. Except for SSBs, this difference was maintained after adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Food consumption of the CKD individuals is influenced by sociodemographic and geographical characteristics. Food groups of which patients are normally advised to limit their dietary intake were those with the greatest difference between individuals with and without CKD and among the CKD treatments.

Factors Associated with Sarcopenia in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Introduction; Sarcopenia are frequently observed in cancer patients and was associated with poor prognosis. Objectives; to determine the association of nutritional status, body composition, and clinic parameters with sarcopenia in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods; We conducted a cross-sectional study of 197 patients with CRC. The sarcopenia elements, including lumbar skeletal muscle index (SMI), handgrip strength, and gait speed were measured. The SMI was assessed by computed tomography at third lumbar vertebra. Phase angle (PA), serum albumin (SAlb), muscle attenuation (MA), and the scored patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) were also evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analysis of factors associated with sarcopenia were performed. Results; Sarcopenia was present in 29 of 195 patients (15%) and was significantly correlated with advance age, lower body mass index (BMI), SAlb, PA, MA, higher PG-SGA score, and malnutrition (PG-SGA B). In univariate analysis, age, BMI, SAlb, PA, MA, PG-SGA score, and malnutrition (PG-SGA B) were associated with sarcopenia. Multivariable analysis revealed that BMI, SAlb, PA, MA, and PG-SGA score were independent predictors of sarcopenia. Conclusion; BMI, SAlb, PA, MA, and PG-SGA score were independent predictors of sarcopenia in patients with CRC.

Association of Sarcopenia With Nutritional Parameters, Quality of Life, Hospitalization, and Mortality Rates of Elderly Patients on Hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess whether diminished muscle mass, diminished muscle strength, or both conditions (sarcopenia) are associated with worse nutritional status, poor quality of life (QoL), and hard outcomes, such as hospitalization and mortality, in elderly patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: This is a multicenter observational longitudinal study that included 170 patients on MHD (age 70 ± 7 years, 65% male) from 6 dialysis centers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People defines sarcopenia as the presence of both low muscle mass by appendicular skeletal + low muscle function by handgrip strength. This study evaluated the clinical and nutritional status (laboratory, anthropometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, 7-point subjective global assessment) and QoL (Kidney Disease Quality of Life) at baseline. Hospitalization and mortality were recorded during 36 months. RESULTS: Reduced muscle mass was observed in 64% of the patients, reduced muscle strength in 52%, and sarcopenia in 37%. The group with sarcopenia was older, had a higher proportion of men and showed worse clinical and nutritional conditions when compared with patients without sarcopenia. Although reduced muscle mass was strongly associated with poor nutritional status, low muscle strength was associated with worse QoL domains. In the multivariate Cox analyses adjusted by age, gender, dialysis vintage, and diabetes mellitus, low muscle strength alone and sarcopenia were associated with higher hospitalization, and sarcopenia was a predictor of mortality. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in this sample, comprised of elderly patients on MHD, sarcopenia was associated with worse nutritional and clinical conditions and was a predictor of hospitalization and mortality.

Global Prevalence of Protein-Energy Wasting in Kidney Disease: A Meta-analysis of Contemporary Observational Studies From the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: To better define the prevalence of protein-energy wasting (PEW) in kidney disease is poorly defined. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of PEW prevalence from contemporary studies including more than 50 subjects with kidney disease, published during 2000-2014 and reporting on PEW prevalence by subjective global assessment or malnutrition-inflammation score. Data were reviewed throughout different strata: (1) acute kidney injury (AKI), (2) pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD), (3) nondialyzed CKD 3-5, (4) maintenance dialysis, and (5) subjects undergoing kidney transplantation (Tx). Sample size, period of publication, reporting quality, methods, dialysis technique, country, geographical region, and gross national income were a priori considered factors influencing between-study variability. RESULTS: Two studies including 189 AKI patients reported a PEW prevalence of 60% and 82%. Five studies including 1776 patients with CKD stages 3-5 reported PEW prevalence ranging from 11% to 54%. Finally, 90 studies from 34 countries including 16,434 patients on maintenance dialysis were identified. The 25th-75th percentiles range in PEW prevalence among dialysis studies was 28-54%. Large variation in PEW prevalence across studies remained even when accounting for moderators. Mixed-effects meta-regression identified geographical region as the only significant moderator explaining 23% of the observed data heterogeneity. Finally, two studies including 1067 Tx patients reported a PEW prevalence of 28% and 52%, and no studies recruiting pediatric CKD patients were identified. CONCLUSION: By providing evidence-based ranges of PEW prevalence, we conclude that PEW is a common phenomenon across the spectrum of AKI and CKD. This, together with the well-documented impact of PEW on patient outcomes, justifies the need for increased medical attention.

Nutritional assessment of elderly patients on dialysis: pitfalls and potentials for practice.

The chronic kidney disease (CKD) population is aging. Currently a high percentage of patients treated on dialysis are older than 65 years. As patients get older, several conditions contribute to the development of malnutrition, namely protein energy wasting (PEW), which may be compounded by nutritional disturbances associated with CKD and from the dialysis procedure. Therefore, elderly patients on dialysis are vulnerable to the development of PEW and awareness of the identification and subsequent management of nutritional status is of importance. In clinical practice, the nutritional assessment of patients on dialysis usually includes methods to assess PEW, such as the subjective global assessment, the malnutrition inflammation score, and anthropometric and laboratory parameters. Studies investigating measures of nutritional status specifically tailored to the elderly on dialysis are scarce. Therefore, the same methods and cutoffs used for the general adult population on dialysis are applied to the elderly. Considering this scenario, the aim of this review is to discuss specific considerations for nutritional assessment of elderly patients on dialysis addressing specific shortcomings on the interpretation of markers, in addition to providing clinical practice guidance to assess the nutritional status of elderly patients on dialysis.

Screening for muscle wasting and dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Skeletal muscle mass and muscle function are negatively affected by a variety of conditions inherent to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to dialysis treatment. Skeletal muscle mass and function serve as indicators of the nutritional and clinical state of CKD patients, and low values or derangements over time are strong predictors of poor patient outcomes. However, muscle size and function can be affected by different factors, may decline at different rates, and may have different patient implications. Therefore, operational definitions of frailty and sarcopenia have emerged to encompass these 2 dimensions of muscle health, i.e., size and functionality. The aim of this review is to appraise available methods for assessment of muscle mass and functionality, with an emphasis on their accuracy in the setting of CKD patients. We then discuss the selection of reference cutoffs for defining conditions of muscle wasting and dysfunction. Finally, we review definitions applied in studies addressing sarcopenia and frailty in CKD patients and discuss their applicability for diagnosis and monitoring.