ARCIMS 26
in
Sunday 2025-10-19 19:48
Beyond Quantity: The association between dietary protein types and malnutrition indices in hemodialysis patients: A multi-center cross-sectional study
Fatemeh Navab 1 ℗, Mohammad Hossein Rouhani 2 ©
Abstract
Background and Aims: Protein-energy wasting is a prevalent and critical concern among hemodialysis (HD) patients, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Malnutrition in this population is closely linked with dietary protein intakes. Since, the association between dietary protein types and nutritional status in HD patients remain unclear; we aimed to assess the association of total, animal, and plant protein intake with indicators of nutritional status including body composition and serum albumin levels in these patients. Materials and Methods: In this multi-center cross-sectional study, 221 patients undergoing maintenance HD were recruited based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Body composition parameters were measured using standard techniques, and fasting blood samples were collected to determine serum albumin levels. Demographic, medical, and dialysis-related data were also recorded. Statistical analyses included both descriptive and inferential methods. Results: Higher total and plant protein intakes were significantly associated with greater fat-free mass (75.82 vs. 58.14 g/day; P = 0.018 and 38.49 vs. 30.02 g/day; P = 0.027, respectively), while animal protein intake showed no significant association. Furthermore, no significant differences in total, animal, or plant protein intake were observed across various levels of serum albumin, body mass index, body fat mass, or arm circumference. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that higher total and plant protein intakes may support improved fat-free mass in HD patients. These results challenge the traditional concern that plant-based proteins may contribute to malnutrition in this population and highlight the potential role of plant protein in nutritional management strategies for HD patients.
Keywords: Hemodialysis, dietary protein, body composition, serum albumin
