The relationship between malnutrition and quality of life in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: One of the most important factors affecting the quality of life of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is nutrition. Prevention of malnutrition increases patients' quality and length of life. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of malnutrition, quality of life, and the relationship between them in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Method: The study was conducted with a total of 60 CKD patients including 50 haemodialysis patients and 10 peritoneal dialysis patients. Patients' data associated with socio-demographics, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triceps skin-fold thickness (TSFT), pre-dialysis systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Kt/V and urea reduction ratio (URR) values, laboratory parameters, Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) and European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions (EQ5D) scale were recorded.

Findings: Of the total 60 patients; 27 were male (45%), 33 were female (55%), 83.3% were receiving haemodialysis treatment (HD), and 16.7% were receiving peritoneal dialysis treatment (PD). The mean MNA-SF score was 10.4 ± 2.8 in the HD group and 10.5 ± 2.9 in the PD group; there was no difference between the scores of the HD and PD groups. The mean EQ5D score was 0.60 ± 0.29 in the HD group and 0.68 ± 0.33 in the PD group, no significant difference was found between the HD group and the PD group. The quality of life was found lower in malnourished group (p=0.001).

Conclusion: The quality of life needs to be increased by early diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition in patients at risk.