| [ Summary ] |
There are few studies examining the impact of dialysis procedures on nutritional parameters for hemodialysis (HD) patients. A prospective study has demonstrated that biocompatible membranes can improve nutritional parameters when compared to bioincompatible membranes in terms of HD patients incidents. In contrast, neither increasing dialysis dose nor higher membrane flux prevented deterioration of nutritional status overtime. Recently, it has been demonstrated in observational studies that longer HD treatment periods, of 7 to 8 hr or short daily HD treatments are beneficial in preventing malnutrition. In addition, ultrapure dialysis fluids can ameliorate poor nutritional status. To date, longer treatment times along with sufficient energy and protein intake are the most effective methods to improve the nutritional states of malnourished HD patients. |