Assessment of Malnutrition among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition is common among
patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and it
contributes significantly to high morbidity and
mortality. Early identification and treatment of
malnutrition are important so as to improve outcomes.
The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and
severity of malnutrition among CKD patients using
simple and easily available tools.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving
35 CKD patients, 15 pre-dialysis and 20 on
maintenance haemodialysis (MHD). Thirty-five
apparently healthy patients with no CKD were
studied as the comparison group. Assessment of
nutritional status was done using body mass index
(BMI), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm
muscle circumference (MAMC), and serum albumin.
Malnutrition was present when BMI was< 18.5kg/
m2, TSF and MAMC were less than 90% of the
ideal, and serum albuminwas < 35g/L.
Results: The prevalence of malnutrition in all the
CKD patients was significantly higher (88.6%)
compared to 42.8% in the controlgroup with no
CKD(P= <.001). Malnutrition prevalence was 73%
among patients yet to commence dialysis and 100%
among hemodialysis patients(P= 0.026).The
prevalence of malnutrition based on the triceps skinfold
thickness (TSF) alone was 45.7%, 85.7%,73 and 95% in                                                                            the control, all CKD, pre-dialysis and MHD
groups respectively.
Conclusion: This study confirms that malnutrition is
common in CKD patients especially in the
hemodialysis group.Clinicians should make concerted
efforts to optimise the nutritional care of patients with
CKD.