The influence of patient- and facility-specific factors on nutritional status and survival in hemodialysis.

Background: Parameters of nutritional status, including serum albumin, serum creatinine, and body mass index (BMI), are powerful predictors of mortality and hospitalization in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Patient-specific characteristics and facility-related practice patterns modify certain parameters of nutritional status. We aimed to determine whether patient and facility characteristics modify the risk profiles associated with malnutrition in hemodialysis patients.

Inflammatory markers are unrelated to physical activity, performance, and functioning in hemodialysis.

Objective: To determine the associations among dietary intake and inflammatory cytokines with physical activity, function, and performance in maintenance dialysis patients.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of cohort study.

Setting: University-affiliated dialysis units, general clinical research center.

Longitudinal study of nutritional status, body composition, and physical function in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Cross-sectional studies have shown an association between the duration (y) of dialysis and nutritional status, providing evidence of wasting.

Objective: The aim was to determine the extent, pace, determinants, and optimal methods of assessing wasting in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Design: Laboratory variables, body composition, and physical activity, function, and performance were tested 4 times over 1 y in 54 hemodialysis patients.

The decline in residual renal function in hemodialysis is slow and age dependent.

Background: Persons on peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis with preserved residual renal function experience lower mortality rates than those without. Previous studies have shown slower rates of decline of residual renal function for peritoneal dialysis (PD)(2 to 3% decrease/month), compared with hemodialysis (HD)(6 to 7% decrease/month). However, our clinical observations suggested a lower rate of decline in hemodialysis patients.

Inflammatory markers are unrelated to physical activity, performance, and functioning in hemodialysis.

Objective: To determine the associations among dietary intake and inflammatory cytokines with physical activity, function, and performance in maintenance dialysis patients.

Design: Cross-sectional analysis of cohort study.

Setting: University-affiliated dialysis units, general clinical research center.