| [ Summary ] |
Patients undergoing dialysis are prone to malnutrition with accompanying evidence of chronic infl ammation and atherosclerosis, which affects their prognosis. Thus, early examination and treatment are necessary. Malnutrition in these patients is defined as protein-energy wasting, which is diagnosed on the basis of biochemical tests, physical constitution of patients, muscle mass, and a decrease in the quantities of meals consumed. Based on their specific condition, their nutritional status is evaluated using composite nutritional indices such as the subjective global assessment tool, malnutrition-inflammation scores, the geriatric nutrition risk index, and the survival index. Of note, these nutritional indices may not be applicable to all Japanese patients undergoing dialysis; therefore, new nutritional indices with wider applicability in Japanese patients undergoing dialysis need to be established. |