Eating habits and nutritional status of hemodialysis patients

Resumo

Hemodialysis (HD) is a blood filtration process that removes excess of fluid and metabolites. The major determinants of morbidity and mortality in HD are the patients’ nutritional status and dialysis adequacy. Probably there is a significant interrelationship between these two factors, as well as patients receiving adequate dialysis have a higher overall wellness and consequently better food intake. The aim of this study was to identify eating habits and nutritional status of patients registered in the hemodialysis program in the city of Foz do Iguaçu-PR. Thirty-four patients were selected, 70.5% men and 29.5% women, in average 45 years old. To characterize the nutritional status were used Body Mass Index (BMI), total cholesterol, and Reduction Percentage Calculation of Urea (RPU). Dietary habits were investigated through a questionnaire on eating frequency. The results showed a predominance of normal individuals, according to BMI (47%), total cholesterol (60%) and RPU (80%) and the dietary habits showed that the results were not expected due to the socioeconomic level of patients. These results suggested that special attention must be given to maintaining the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14685/rebrapa.v1i2.24