| Theme | Diseases of alimentary tract in maintenance dialysis patients -- tendency and management from a view point of symptomatology | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Anorexia, malnutrition and associated taste disorders | |
| Publish Date | 2013/02 | |
| Author | Shinsuke Isobe | First Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine |
| Author | Akihiko Kato | Blood Purification Unit, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | Malnutrition is common in dialysis patients, and is a risk factor for mortality. MIA syndrome, anorexia and taste disorders may lead to malnutrition. Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide released from endocrine cells in the stomach. Ghrelin treatment may improve the appetites of malnourished dialysis patients. H. pylori infection may also cause anorexia. H. pylori eradication helps to increase patients' ghrelin mRNA expression and body mass index. Taste disorders are common in CKD patients, and can be another cause of anorexia. In addition to aging, zinc deficiency and some drugs induce taste disorders. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is one nutritional support method for treating critically ill patients. However, tube feeding is not recommended for terminally ill dementia patients. | |