Assessment of nutritional status, daily nutrient intake and adherence to dietary recommendations among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis

Malnutrition is a common phenomenon in patients with chronic kidney disease, which accelerates the progression of the disease and negatively affects treatment outcomes. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status and dietary intake of patients undergoing hemodialysis to propose further optimal interventions. A cross‑sectional study was conducted on 56 participants at a dialysis unit, from November, 2020 to June, 2021. Body mass index (BMI), subjective global assessment (SGA) and biochemical tests (serum albumin and hemoglobin) were used to assess the nutritional status of the participants. The method of 24‑h dietary recall was utilized to assess the dietary food consumption of the patients, in comparison with the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). According to the assessment of BMI and SGA, the percentage of participants who were at a having a risk of malnutrition was 26.8 and 25%, respectively. It was found that 87.5% of the participants experienced anemia. The average dietary energy intake of the patients was 1,389 kcal (SD, 403), corresponding to 25.3 kcal/kg/day (SD, 8.3). The total dietary protein intake was 58.7 g (SD, 16.9), which accounted for 16.9% of the total dietary energy consumption. The daily consumption of iron and zinc was under the RDA levels, at 87.0 and 54.0% respectively, while the amount of sodium intake was higher than the recommendation (118.8%). As demonstrated herein, malnutrition remains highly prevalent among patients undergoing hemodialysis, marked by a inadequate intake of energy, essential minerals and vitamins. Early assessment using validated tools, combined with structured nutritional counseling, holds immense promise in optimizing dietary intake, improving treatment adherence, and ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable group.