Diet Patterns, Nutrition Status and Physical Activity in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) and renal replacement therapy options are associated with malnutrition, which occurs in 30-50% of patients. Suboptimal nutritional status and physical inactivity are common in peritoneal dialysis patients also and are consequences of the restrictive diet, appetite loss, and poor physical fitness. Materials and methods: This single-center observational study aimed to analyze the dietary intake, body composition, and physical activity of 19 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Dietary assessment was performed with a three-day 24-hour dietary recall, while nutritional status was assessed with body composition measurements. Patients’ physical performance was assessed with a handgrip test and a sit-stand test. Each value was expressed as a percentage or mean ± SD. Continuous variables between normal values and of study values were compared using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed ranks test. A two-tailed P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean caloric intake of the 19 patients was 1545 ± 295 kcal/day (21.4 kcal/kg BW/day), and the mean protein intake was 0.8 g/kg BW/ day. The mean value of body mass index was 24.4 ± 2.9 kg/m2 , phase angle was 5.2 ± 0.9, lean tissue index was 14.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2 and adipose tissue index was 9.3 ± 3.6 kg/m2 . The results of the handgrip test and the sit-to-stand test showed muscular weakness associated with low caloric intake. Conclusion: In our PD patients, average energy and protein intakes were inadequate according to dietary recommendations, which are related to reduce muscle strength among observed patients and a poor physical activity profile. The overall approach of nutritional counseling is necessary to improve the nutritional status of patients.