EFFECT OF INTRADIALYTIC PARENTERAL-NUTRITION ON QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) on the quality of life of malnourished pa tients with end-stage renal disease on high-efficiency and high-flux h emodialysis therapy. Patients, who met the Medicare eligibility requir ements for IDPN, were asked to fill out and extensive questionnaire co vering several measures of quality of life prior to initiating and aga in after completing four months of IDPN therapy. Although the IDPN imp roved serum albumin levels significantly, aside from improved sleep pa tterns, no significant improvements in quality of life could be demons trated. The mortality rate of these enrolled patients was as high as 2 8% within 4 months. We concluded that the limited amount of nutrition delivered over the course of a short dialysis session may not be enoug h to appreciably change the lives of our malnourished patients.