MO069EFFICACY OF INTRADIALYTIC PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION AND EXERCISE TRAINING

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: Oral protein supplementation and exercise training are often prescribed in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD), however the long-term benefits of each of these therapies are not well established. The primary objective of this study was to determine if 12 months of intradialytic oral protein supplementation, with and without concomitant intradialytic endurance exercise training (cycling), improves physical function and markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in HD patients. Methods: 138 HD patients (average age 58+/-12 years; 58% male, 84% African-American) were randomized to the following groups for 12 months: (1) usual care/control (CON); (2) intradialytic protein supplementation (PRO); or (3) intradialytic protein supplementation + exercise training (PRO+EX). Patients in PRO and PRO+EX were provided an oral protein supplement consisting of 30 grams of