Abstract:
Introduction: Malnutrition is reported
frequently in the patients with chronic kidney
disease. Even though comprehensive studies
are not available, CKDu is recorded in
disadvantaged populations with low body
mass index (BMI). The objective of the study
was to determine the variations in nutritional
markers in non-dialysis CKDu patients.
Materials and Methods: A total 119 biopsy
proven, non-dialysis patients were recruited
from a CKDu endemic area. BMI was
calculated and a 5 ml of blood was taken at
the recruitment. Clinical parameters
including, cholesterol, ferritin, iron, total iron
binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin
saturation (TSAT), vitamin B12, albumin,
phosphorous (P) and Hemoglobin (Hb) were
measured. Summary statistics, one sample t test and one-way ANOVA were performed.
Results: Of 119 patients, 22 were females
(18.5%) and 97 were males (81.5%). The
mean age of males and females were 51.3 ±
10.2 years and 50.8 ± 8.2 years respectively.
BMI of 56 % males and 52 % females were
in normal range whereas 16 % of males and 5
% of females had BMI < 18 and 28 % males
and 43 % females had BMI > 24. Majority of
patients had below normal Hb and TSAT
values while other markers being normal.
Mean values of the other variables are shown
in Table 1. According to the t-test results,
only Hb (p = <0.001), Iron (p = 0.002), P (p
= 0.041) and TSAT (p = 0.025) significantly
varied with the gender. Results of the one way ANOVA showed only Hb (p = 0.028 for
males and p = 0.021 for females) and P in
males (p = 0.025 for males and p = 0.322 for
females which is not significant) varied
significantly with the stage of kidney disease.
Discussion: Below normal values of Hb and
TSAT in both males and females and the
significant differences in Hb observed with
the stage, could be attributed to manifestation
of anemia in CKDu. Majority of people
having a normal or higher BMI indicates an
acceptable nutritional status among the
patients. Iron and vitamin B12 were normal in
most of patients, due to the supplements they
receive at the clinic upon diagnosis.
Conclusion: Evidence from this study
indicates a comparatively satisfactory
nutritional status among the CKDu patients.
