A cross-sectional study comparing the nutritional status of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the nutritional status of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients in Korea and to validate the nutritional assessment method.

DESIGN: For nutritional assessment, we used five nutrition-related indicators, including percentage unplanned weight loss, percentage ideal body weight (IBW), serum albumin, appetite and intake, and any gastrointestinal symptoms affecting intake. A 1-month food frequency interview was conducted by clinical dietitians using food models to estimate energy and protein intake. The validity of the nutritional assessment method was tested by objective measures.

PATIENTS/SETTING: A cross-sectional study was conducted in our center for 51 PD patients and 169 HD patients who met the study criteria. In the study, HD patients typically underwent dialysis three times per week, and most PD patients performed four 2-L dialysis exchanges every day.

RESULTS: Our data showed a higher incidence of malnutrition in PD patients than in HD patients (33% v 18%) and in diabetics than in nondiabetics. Age, height, and dietary energy intake of the two groups were comparable. In PD patients, however, duration of dialysis treatment (23.9 +/- 19.1 months v 41.8 +/- 31.7 months, P < 0.001) and serum albumin (35.2 +/- 5.0 g/L v 39. 7 +/- 3.4 g/L, P < 0.0001) were significantly lower, whereas percentage IBW (108.1% +/- 12.4% v 96.2% +/- 11.6%, P < 0.0001) and dietary protein intake (1.12 +/- 0.34 g/kg IBW v 0.98 +/- 0.31 g/kg IBW, P < 0.05) were significantly higher than in HD patients. In malnourished PD and HD patients, percentage IBW, serum albumin, dietary energy, and protein intake were significantly lower than in well-nourished counterparts.

CONCLUSION: A higher incidence of malnutrition was observed in PD patients than in HD patients. Nutritional profile of PD patients was different from that of HD patients. Higher body weight and lower serum albumin in PD patients did not seem to be related to dietary energy and protein intake. The five nutritional indicators can be used as a simple inexpensive and reliable method for the early detection of malnutrition in dialysis patients.