| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Protein-Energy Undernutrition (PEU) is common in chronic
haemodialysis patients and is an important contributor to morbidity and
mortality. However, limited data are available on the prevalence of
PEU in the dialysis population of Africa. The objectives of this study were
to evaluate the nutritional profile of chronic haemodialysis patients in
Nouakchott (Mauritania) to determine the prevalence of undernutrition in
this population and to identify predictive factors.
Patients and methods: This descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional
study was conducted from 12 January to 8 September 2015, and involved
patients on haemodialysis who regularly attended the haemodialysis unit
(at least 3 months) of the Nouakchott Hospital Center. The Subjective
Global Assessment (SGA) according to Detsky was used to assess the
nutritional status of patients. We also collected epidemiological, dialytical,
clinical and anthropometric data.
Results: Sixty-nine chronic haemodialysis patients were included. The
mean age was 45.9 ± 14.08 years, and the sex ratio was 0.97. The mean
duration of haemodialysis was 27 months and 20 days. Anorexia was
found in 59.4% of cases, and the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 24.38
± 3.74 kg/m2. The average Branchial Circumference (CB) was 22.91 ± 3.6
cm. Patients showed mean albumin and haemoglobin levels of 38.69
g/L (range 19.2-48.4 g/L) and 8.3 ± 0.9 g/dL, respectively, and biological
inflammatory syndrome was found in 16.17% of patients. The prevalence of
malnutrition was 36.2%, which was classified as moderate in 20.3% of cases
and severe in 15.9% of cases. Malnutrition was found to be correlated
with a low socioeconomic status, anorexia, poor dental status, low BMI,
hypophosphatemia, hypocholesterolemia, high C-reactive protein CRP
and hypoprotidaemia.
Conclusion: The prevention of undernutrition through dietary
interventions must be at the heart of management for chronic
haemodialysis patients | en_US |
