Malnutrition And Inflammation In Dialysis

The American Society of Nephrology reports that the number of people with end-stage renal disease rises about 7 percent each year. Although expensive and challenging to endure, dialysis treatment has given these patients a chance to extend their lives. Dialysis can cause a number of complications as well, particularly malnutrition and chronic inflammation. These two conditions are often intertwined for dialysis patients, increasing their morality risk.

Understanding Dialysis

The kidneys filter out waste and toxins from the blood. When these organs are unable to perform their job, dialysis treatment may be needed. Two types of dialysis are available. Peritoneal dialysis requires the insertion of a catheter into the abdomen. A solution runs through the catheter during treatment, pulling impurities out of the blood. Treatment involving the use of a machine called a hemodialyzer is known as hemodialysis. Blood runs through this machine to remove waste or impurities, then returns to the body through a catheter or other blood vessel access point.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition is a major concern for dialysis patients. Protein-energy malnutrition occurs when the body does not have access to an adequate amount of the macronutrient. Dialysis puts you at risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies as well. Several culprits contribute to these nutritional risks, including appetite loss, endocrine dysfunction and complications such as infections or diabetes, according to a November 2003 review published in the "American Journal of Kidney Diseases." Restrictive diets may also be to blame. Doctors often prescribe a diet low in potassium and phosphorus, for example, for chronic kidney disease management.

Inflammation

Inflammation often occurs along with malnutrition issues; in fact, these two dialysis complications may co-exist as a condition called the malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome. The continual use of foreign objects such as catheters and dialysis solution may trigger inflammation. Chronic inflammation may lead to appetite loss and increased protein depletion, two issues that also contribute to malnutrition. This malnutrition-inflammation complex may be a leading cause of mortality for those with end-stage kidney disease or chronic kidney disease, according to the authors of the 2003 journal review.

Cholesterol Link

Despite these major health issues, dialysis patients with high cholesterol tend to have lower mortality rates. Research shows, however, that the cholesterol itself does not provide health benefits. A January 2004 study, published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," found that malnutrition and inflammation lowered cholesterol. Yet in those patients who did not have malnutrition or inflammation, rising cholesterol was a major indicator for cardiovascular disease. For this reason, physicians must take into account these two common complications when evaluating both cholesterol levels and heart disease risks. Cardiovascular disease is the top cause of death among kidney failure patients.