| [ Summary ] |
Recombinant human growth hormone and anabolic steroids are administered in the treatment of malnutrition for dialysis patients. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as statin and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors have also been used to improve nutritional status. However, to date, there is no evidence that all of these drugs can improve mortality in hemodialysis patients. Thus, none of the guidelines have recommend their use in malnourished dialysis patients. On the other hand, continuous correction of metabolic acidosis with oral sodium bicarbonate may minimize muscle breakdown. Moderate exercise also can improve maximum oxygen consumption, muscle wasting and quality of life, thereby leading to improvements in nutritional status. It is therefore important to stress the utility of drug and exercise therapy for the treatment of poor nutritional status when the Japanese Society of Nephrology's guidelines for therapy chronic kidney disease diet are re-edited. |