Chronic hemodialysis patients: A comparison of clinical, laboratory and nutritional parameters among elderly and non-elderly patients

Abstract

Aim: To compare nutritional, clinical and laboratory parameters data among elderly and non-elderly patients on hemodialysis. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study, with a sample of 34 patients (17 non-elderly participants between 18 to 59 years of age, and 17 elderly participants aged 60 years or older), from the Nephrology Unit, Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia, Pelotas/RS/BR. Demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, laboratory, anthropometric data and information on food consumption were collected. Results: Most elderly and non-elderly patients had low income and education. Among elderly participants, weight values, pre and post-dialysis, interdialytic weight gain, median diastolic blood pressure pre and post-dialysis and urea, were higher than among the non-elderly. About 65% of the non-elderly and 70.6% of the elderly subjects had inadequate caloric intake. The same occurred with protein intake, for which 58.8% of the non-elderly and 82.3% of the elderly patients presented inadequate protein intake. Conclusion: There was a tendency of weight gain in the elderly, which may increase the risks of treatment. Evidence indicates an association between the intake of energy and protein in the diet of patients on hemodialysis, requiring an adequate diet and dialysis, in order to avoid complications related to kidney disease.