Effectiveness of nutrition interventions in the management of malnourished patients treated with maintenance dialysis.
Malnutrition is not uncommon in patients with end-stage renal disease treated with maintenance dialysis. In addition, malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in these patients. A number of interventions have been undertaken to increase nutrient intake or to provide growth factors to induce anabolism. These interventions have met with varying degrees of success. The most efficient and effective method of managing malnutrition in the dialysis patient is still unclear. More research is needed to determine the most appropriate method of management of malnutrition.