Correlation of fibroblast growth factor 23 and malnutrition in chronic kidney disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Unlabelled: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major health problem that causes death and disability worldwide. Fibroblast growth factor - 23 (FGF 23), is a novel hormone, which is secreted primarily by the osteoblasts. CKD patients are at an increased risk of malnutrition, characterized by micronutrient deficiencies and protein-energy wasting. The mechanisms of malnutrition in CKD are complicated and involve multiple pathophysiologic alterations. Serum FGF 23 levels may be used as a marker of malnutrition in such patients.

Material: 50 CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis were selected after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria and their anthropometric measurements and Subjective Global Assessment-Dialysis Malnutrition Score (SGA-DMS) score calculated, Serum FGF 23 levels and various other baseline characteristics and demographic information were collected from August 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 in this cross-sectional observational study, which was done in the medicine wards of a tertiary care hospital in Delhi.

Observation: The mean age of the study population was 42.44 ± 14.35 years. The mean Body Weight was 58.06 kg. The mean height was 1.72 m. The mean BMI was 19.73 kg/m2. The mean SGA-DMS Score was 30.12. The mean FGF 23 levels were 650.46 pg/mL. There was a strong negative correlation between SGA-DMS Score and FGF-23 (pg/ mL), and this correlation was statistically significant (rho = -0.72, p = <0.001).

Conclusion: FGF 23 levels showed negative correlation with nutrition status of the patient and it can be used as a marker for malnutrition in CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis.