A novel technique to demonstrate disturbed appetite profiles in haemodialysis patients

Background, Malnutrition is common among dialysis patients and is associate d with an adverse outcome. One cause of this is a persistent reduction in n utrient intake, suggesting an abnormality of appetite regulation. Methods, We used a novel technique to describe the appetite profile in 46 h aemodialysis (HD) patients and 40 healthy controls. The Electronic Appetite Rating System (EARS) employs a palmtop computer to collect hourly ratings of motivation to eat and mood. We collected data on hunger, desire to eat, fullness, and tiredness. HD subjects were monitored on the dialysis day and the interdialytic day. Controls were monitored for 1 or 2 days. Results, Temporal profiles of motivation to eat for the controls were simil ar on both days. Temporal profiles of motivation to eat for the HD group we re lower on the dialysis day. Mean HD scores were not significantly differe nt from controls. Dietary records indicated that dialysis patients consumed less food than controls. Conclusions. Our data indicate that the EARS can be used to monitor subject ive appetite states continuously in a group of HD patients. A HD session re duces hunger and desire to eat. Patients feel more tired after dialysis. Th is does not correlate with their hunger score, but does correlate with thei r fullness rating. Nutrient intake is reduced. suggesting a resetting of ap petite control for the HD group. The EARS may be useful for intervention st udies.