oral supplementation of keto/amino acid did not improve nutritional status in malnourished hemodialysis patients

Protein-calorie malnutrition is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients and correlated with morbidity and mortality of these patients. This prospective study evaluated the nutritional impact of oral keto/amino acid (Ketosteril®) supplementation in malnourished HD patients. Non-diabetic 39 HD patients with evidence of malnutrition (< 4.0 g/dL for last 3 consecutive monthly examinations) were included. Patients were followed for a 3 month baseline period during which they received conventional nutrition counseling. This was followed by oral supplement of Ketosteril® (9.6 g/day) over a period of 6 months. After Ketosteril® supplementation a 3 month observation period was followed. The patients were 64.3 ± 13.2 (Mean ± SD) years old and female predominant (n=23, 59%). The nutritional parameters including dry weight (57.9 ± 1.0, 58.0 ± 1.9, 58.1 ± 0.9 kg), body mass index (23.6 ± 0.6, 22.9 ± 0.4, 23.0 ± 0.5 kg/m2), serum albumin (3.7 ± 0.1, 3.7 ± 0.0, 3.7 ± 0.1 g/dL), serum creatinine (9.6 ± 0.7, 9.5 ± 0.4, 9.7 ± 0.5 mg/dL), and mid-arm circumference (27.3 ± 0.8, 27.2 ± 0.8, 27.2 ± 1.0 cm) were not changed during baseline, supplement and observation period. In conclusion, oral nutritional supplement with Ketosteril® did not improve nutritional status in malnourished HD patients.