Importance of feeding status evaluation in older patients undergoing hemodialysis

Older hospitalized patients undergoing hemodialysis are increasingly experiencing malnutrition caused by dysphagia. However, only a few studies have focused on this problem. We used the Kuchikara Taberu Balance Chart (KTBC) to evaluate the patients’ feeding status and examined its association with their nutritional status and prognosis. This study included elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis who were hospitalized at Nagasaki Renal Center for > 3 days between June 2021 and February 2022. In total, 82 inpatients were included [mean age, 73.4 ± 10.0 years; men, 57.3%; median dialysis vintage, 79.0 months (interquartile range, 37.3–164.8)]. We classified patients with lower than the median KTBC score (57 points) as being at risk for dysphagia; 37 patients (45.1%) were at risk for dysphagia. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ) elucidated that the KTBC total score was significantly associated with each nutritional indicator [serum albumin level (ρ = 0.505, p < 0.001); geriatric nutritional risk index (ρ = 0.600, p < 0.001); and nutritional risk index (ρ = -0.566, p < 0.001)]. The KTBC score was also closely associated with the body mass index (ρ = 0.228, p = 0.04). Patients with a lower KTBC score showed poor prognosis (log-rank test: p = 0.001), and age- and sex-adjusted Cox proportional analysis showed that the KTBC score was associated with life prognosis (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidential interval, 0.86–0.94; p < 0.001). Therefore, we concluded that the patients at risk of dysphagia, identified using the KTBC score, were malnourished and had a poor prognosis. Hence, the evaluation of dysphagia using the KTBC is encouraged to prevent malnutrition in vulnerable older patients undergoing hemodialysis

The impact of muscle mass loss and deteriorating physical function on prognosis in patients receiving hemodialysis

Muscle mass loss and worsening physical function are crucial issues in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). However, few studies have investigated the association between temporal changes in muscle mass and physical function in a large number of HD patients. We examined 286 patients receiving HD (males, 58%; age, 66.8 ± 13.0 years) at a single center, and calculated the percent changes in psoas muscle mass index (%PMI) using computed tomography over two screenings, once per year (July 2011–June 2013). Physical function was evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) (range 0–4). The observation period was from July 2012 to June 2021. The median %PMI was -9.5%, and those with the lowest quartile of %PMI (< −20.5%) showed a significantly poor prognosis compared with other patients (p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that these patients tended to have decreased physical function (ECOG-PS 2–4) [odds ratio (OR): 2.46, p < 0.001] and albumin levels (OR: 0.22, p = 0.007). Multiple-factor-adjusted Cox regression analyses showed that %PMI (hazard ratio: 0.99, p = 0.004) and each ECOG-PS stage (1–4 vs. 0) (p < 0.01) were associated with mortality. Augmenting physical activities in daily life and serum albumin levels should be considered to maintain muscle mass and improve the prognosis of patients receiving HD

Association between the psoas muscle index and hospitalization for pneumonia in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Background: Although muscle mass loss and pneumonia are common and crucial issues in hemodialysis (HD) patients, few reports have focused on their association, which remains unclear. This study assessed the association between skeletal muscle mass and the incidence of pneumonia in HD patients using the psoas muscle index (PMI).Methods: This retrospective study included 330 patients on HD who were treated at a single center between July 2011 and June 2012. The observation period was between July 2011 and June 2021. Demographic, clinical, and HD data were collected, and the associations between PMI and hospitalization due to bacterial pneumonia were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for patients’ background data. Additionally, the correlation between patient characteristics and PMI was evaluated using multivariable linear regression.Results: Among 330 patients (mean age, 67.3 ± 13.3; 56.7% male; median dialysis vintage 58 months, (interquartile range [IQR] 23–124), 79 were hospitalized for pneumonia during the observation period (median observation period was 4.5 years [IQR 2.0–9.1]). The multivariable Cox proportional analysis, which was adjusted for age, sex, dialysis vintage, diabetes mellitus, and stroke history and considered death as a competing risk, indicated that decreased PMI/(standard deviation) was closely associated with the development of pneumonia (hazard ratio: 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.47–0.95, p = 0.03).Conclusions: Skeletal muscle mass was associated with the development of pneumonia in patients on HD and could be a useful marker for the risk of pneumonia

Impact of Cafeteria Service Discontinuation at a Dialysis Facility on Medium-Term Nutritional Status of Elderly Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Despite evident lifestyle changes due to measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, few reports focus on the effects of eating-behavior changes on the nutritional status of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Thus, we examined dry-weight reduction, the simplest indicator of malnutrition among patients undergoing dialysis, and its association with the discontinuation of cafeteria services at a dialysis facility as per COVID-19 measures. This retrospective study included elderly patients (aged &ge; 65 years) undergoing HD at the Nagasaki Renal Center between December 2020 and October 2021. We collected nutrition-related data and patient characteristics and evaluated the association between the service discontinuation and dry-weight reduction 10 months after the discontinuation using multivariable logistic regression. This study included 204 patients, 79 of which were cafeteria users. During the observation period, cafeteria users showed significant dry-weight reduction; however, this was not observed among non-users. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated a close association between dry-weight reduction and the service discontinuation. That is, the dietary services cancelation caused dry-weight reduction in patients who relied on the cafeteria. As elderly patients undergoing HD are vulnerable to changes in their eating environment, alternative nutritional management methods need to be considered

The impact of muscle mass loss and deteriorating physical function on prognosis in patients receiving hemodialysis

Muscle mass loss and worsening physical function are crucial issues in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). However, few studies have investigated the association between temporal changes in muscle mass and physical function in a large number of HD patients. We examined 286 patients receiving HD (males, 58%; age, 66.8 ± 13.0 years) at a single center, and calculated the percent changes in psoas muscle mass index (%PMI) using computed tomography over two screenings, once per year (July 2011–June 2013). Physical function was evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) (range 0–4). The observation period was from July 2012 to June 2021. The median %PMI was -9.5%, and those with the lowest quartile of %PMI (< −20.5%) showed a significantly poor prognosis compared with other patients (p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that these patients tended to have decreased physical function (ECOG-PS 2–4) [odds ratio (OR): 2.46, p < 0.001] and albumin levels (OR: 0.22, p = 0.007). Multiple-factor-adjusted Cox regression analyses showed that %PMI (hazard ratio: 0.99, p = 0.004) and each ECOG-PS stage (1–4 vs. 0) (p < 0.01) were associated with mortality. Augmenting physical activities in daily life and serum albumin levels should be considered to maintain muscle mass and improve the prognosis of patients receiving HD

Association between the psoas muscle index and hospitalization for pneumonia in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Abstract Background Although muscle mass loss and pneumonia are common and crucial issues in hemodialysis (HD) patients, few reports have focused on their association, which remains unclear. This study assessed the association between skeletal muscle mass and the incidence of pneumonia in HD patients using the psoas muscle index (PMI). Methods This retrospective study included 330 patients on HD who were treated at a single center between July 2011 and June 2012. The observation period was between July 2011 and June 2021. Demographic, clinical, and HD data were collected, and the associations between PMI and hospitalization due to bacterial pneumonia were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for patients’ background data. Additionally, the correlation between patient characteristics and PMI was evaluated using multivariable linear regression. Results Among 330 patients (mean age, 67.3 ± 13.3; 56.7% male; median dialysis vintage 58 months, (interquartile range [IQR] 23–124), 79 were hospitalized for pneumonia during the observation period (median observation period was 4.5 years [IQR 2.0–9.1]). The multivariable Cox proportional analysis, which was adjusted for age, sex, dialysis vintage, diabetes mellitus, and stroke history and considered death as a competing risk, indicated that decreased PMI/(standard deviation) was closely associated with the development of pneumonia (hazard ratio: 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.47–0.95, p = 0.03). Conclusions Skeletal muscle mass was associated with the development of pneumonia in patients on HD and could be a useful marker for the risk of pneumonia

Association between the KTBC total score and percentage BMI decrease.

Association between the KTBC total score and percentage BMI decrease.</p

Cox regression analysis for all-cause mortality.

Cox regression analysis for all-cause mortality.</p

Summary of patient background.

Summary of patient background.</p