Whole body and regional body composition in patients with chronic renal failure

BACKGROUND.: Nutritional state is a powerful prognostic factor in chronicrenal failure (CRF). Techniques for the assessment of nutritionhave limitations which are often most marked in the presenceof renal disease. We have used techniques of body compositionanalysis to assess the nutritional state of groups of patientswith CRF. METHODS.: Body composition was measured in groups of patients with advancedCRF on conservative treatment, peritoneal dialysis, and haemodialysisand the results compared with a healthy control group. The selectioncriteria for the CRF patients ensured that they were ‘stable’with no recent intercurrent illness, and dialysis adequacy wassatisfactory according to currently accepted targets. RESULTS.: Whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) found significantreduction in lean tissue in haemodialysis patients and femaleperitoneal dialysis patients. Regional analysis with DEXA showedreduction in limb (especially arm), lean tissue in CRF patients,with arm lean tissue being reduced in all three CRF groups forfemales and both dialysis groups for males. Limb/trunk leantissue ratios were significantly reduced for all CRF groups.Bioelectrical impedance showed reductions of fat-free mass inthe same groups who had reduced whole body lean tissue withDEXA, but skinfold anthropometry failed to detect any significantreduction in fat-free mass. CONCLUSIONS.: We conclude that even in ‘healthy’ groups of CRFpatients receiving adequate dialytic and dietary management,lean tissue depletion is a common problem. Regional analysisby DEXA, with measurement of limb lean tissue mass is a moresensitive method for the detection of lean tissue depletionthan measurement of whole body lean tissue in patients withCRF.