Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle
Prevalence and Overlap of Malnutrition, Sarcopenia and Related Nutritional Syndromes in a Large Haemodialysis Population
By Noor H, Ganesan S, Cantarutti FM and 4 others.
Abstract
Background
Chronic kidney disease is a major global health burden linked to malnutrition, sarcopenia and related nutritional syndromes including protein-energy wasting (PEW)/cachexia and sarcopenic obesity (SO). Data from end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) populations in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East are scarce. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition and sarcopenia risk in a large haemodialysis (HD) cohort and the co-occurrence of PEW/cachexia risk and SO.
Methods
Multicentre, cross-sectional study in 40 dialysis clinics across Saudi Arabia (June-August 2024). Adults on maintenance HD ≥ 90 days were screened using the malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS; high risk > 5), SARC-F (sarcopenia risk ≥ 4) high risk, calf circumference (CC; cut-offs ≤ 34-cm males, ≤ 33-cm females), CC adjusted for body mass index (BMI) and oedema (Adj. CC) and SARC-CalF (sarcopenia risk ≥ 11). SO was defined as sarcopenia risk by SARC-CalF (Adj. CC) plus BMI > 30 kg/m2. Routine blood chemistry (e.g., total iron-binding capacity [TIBC] and albumin) and screening tools were collected for physical function (Karnofsky), falls risk (Morse fall) and comorbidity (Charlson index). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression (adjusted for age, sex, diabetes, dialysis vintage and Kt/V) identified factors associated with each outcome.
