Anthropometric Measurements in Hemodialysis Patients

OBJECTIVE: In malnourished patients, in anthropometric measurements such as a decrease in the body-mass index (BMI), the triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness and the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) are often determined along with weight loss. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of chronic hemodialysis patients by taking anthropometric measurements.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Fifty-three chronic hemodialysis patients (30 females) were included in the study. The demographic, biochemical and hemodialysis data of the patients were recorded. BMI, TSF thickness, MUAC, waist and hip circumference measurements were made in all patients.

RESULTS: Patients’ TSF and MUAC measurements above the 25th percentile were 73.6% and 75.5%, respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between the patients’ BMI and the TSF thickness and the MUAC; and between the TSF thickness and the MUAC. There was a positive correlation between the duration of the hemodialysis treatment and the waist and hip circumference.

CONCLUSION: Not finding a MUAC difference although the TSF thickness was higher in females might be due to the fact that females have more subcutaneous adipose tissue and males have more muscle mass. These results confirm that the subcutaneous adipose tissue and muscle mass of the patients increase along with the increase in BMI and thus patients do not suffer from malnutrition.