Malnutrition on dialysis: the end of a fatality]

Protein-energy malnutrition in patients treated with haemodialysis (HD) is a complex, multifactorial and prevalent problem, starting well ahead of the dialysis program. It is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. Uraemic patients are relatively resistant to nutrients because of metabolism abnormalities. Prevention of malnutrition is therefore more efficient than treatment per se. Classical supplementation including oral nutritional supplements, intradialytic parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition remain efficient, if applied for a sufficient time. A global approach coupling supplementation and strategies designed to optimise metabolism abnormalities should increase treatment efficacy and improve the outcome and quality of life of these patients.