Nutritional counseling's impact on muscle mass and quality of life in stage 4 chronic kidney disease malnourished patients

Abstract

Background

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a significant public health issue, affecting 37 million people in the United States. CKD often leads to malnutrition, particularly in advanced stages, contributing to muscle wasting, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs.

Objective

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the impact of early nutritional intervention and counseling on muscle mass and quality of life in malnourished stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Methods

Clinical data from stage 4 CKD patients with concomitant malnutrition admitted to a single center from January 2023 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a standard intervention group and an early nutritional intervention and counseling group. Baseline characteristics, muscle mass parameters, quality of life assessments, nutritional parameters, and adverse events were compared between the two groups.

Results

The baseline characteristics of the study participants were well-balanced between the two groups. The early nutrition intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in muscle mass parameters, including grip strength, skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, calf circumference, and handgrip measurement, compared to the standard intervention group. Additionally, the early nutrition intervention group showed significant enhancements in several aspects of quality of life, including physical functioning, mental health, energy/fatigue, and general health scores. Improvements in nutritional parameters, such as protein intake, caloric intake, vitamin D levels, iron levels, and zinc levels, were also observed in the early nutrition intervention group. Notably, no significant differences in adverse events were found between the two groups.

Conclusion

The study highlights the significant benefits of early nutritional intervention and counseling for malnourished stage 4 CKD patients. Early nutritional support positively impacts muscle mass, quality of life, and nutritional parameters. These findings emphasize the importance of nutrition in CKD management and the need for comprehensive nutritional support as a key component of care. This research paves the way for further studies and clinical initiatives to enhance nutritional care and improve the standard of care for CKD patients.