Evaluating haemodialysis patient's nutritional status: Body mass index or body cell mass index?

Objective Evaluate which of two combinations of parameters based on International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism recommendations could better identify patients with protein-energy wasting (PEW) and to compare the relationship of these two combinations with other clinical and body composition parameters. Methods This was a multicentre longitudinal study with 24 months of follow-up. The PEW patients were characterized by: Group A (G(A)) - normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) < 1.0 g/kg per day, albumin <3.8 g/dL and body cell mass index (BCMI) < 6.4 kg/m(2) (n = 203); Group B (G(B)) - nPCR <1.0 g/kg per day, albumin <3.8 g/dL and body mass index (BMI) <23 kg/m(2) (n = 109). All the patients who did not meet these requirements were considered "well-nourished" (G(A): n = 1818; G(B): n = 3292). Results When compared to the well-nourished patients, PEW patients in the G(A) presented higher age, Kt/V, C-reactive protein, relative overhydration, fat tissue index (FTI); lower creatinine, albumin, nPCR, PTH, haemoglobin, phosphorus, calcium X phosphorus product, potassium, dry weight, BMI, BCMI, lean tissue index, %IDWG . In the G(B), well-nourished patients FTI was significantly higher. In Cox analysis, the combination with BCMI was a strong independent predictor of mortality in these patients (hazard ratio: 1.48; confidence interval: 1.00-2.19; P = 0.048), even after adjustment. Although G(B) combination seemed to be also a predictor of death (hazard ratio: 2.67; confidence interval: 1.92-3.71; P < 0.001), when adjusted, the association remained no longer significant. Conclusion A new combination of parameters including protein intake, albumin and BCMI demonstrated significant associations with other nutrition and inflammation parameters as well as with mortality.