[Daily protein intake 1,2--is that the panacea?].

Protein malnutrition is regarded as a risk factor of survival of hemodialysis patients. That's why good practice guidelines recommend a daily protein intake of 1.1 - 1.2 g/ (kg x day) irrespective of the gender and the age of patients [9]. The investigations presented here using urea kinetic modelling exhibit significant differences in protein catabolic rate (PCR) in gender and age of the patients as far as PCR is related to (kg body weight x day). The difference in gender disappears when PCR is related to kg lean body mass x day. From these findings it is recommended to relate PCR to lean body weight instead of body weight. Also the age of the patients should be taken into consideration.