Changes in body fat mass in male hemodialysis patients: A comparison between diabetics and nondiabetics

Nutritional status Is an Important factor that affects morbidity and mortal ity of hemodialysis patients. We Investigated 1-year changes In body fat ma ss of male patients undergoing hemodialysis (duration, 4.9 +/- 2.5 years). Fat mass of 217 male patients (age 60 +/- 13 years) was measured by dual x- ray absorptlometry twice in a 1-year interval. The patients consisted of 70 with diabetes mellitus and 147 without diabetes. At the second measurement compared with the first, a significant decrease In fat mass was observed i n diabetic patients (12.1 +/- 4.4 kg versus 11.0 +/- 4.7 kg; P < 0.01); the re were no significant changes In fat mass In nondiabetic patients (12.2 +/ - 5.0 kg versus 11.9 +/- 4.9 kg; P = 0.15). Significant differences In perc ent fat mass changes per year were seen between diabetic and nondiabetic pa tients (P < 0.05). Protein catabolic rates of diabetic patients were signif icantly lower than those of nondiabetic patients (0.86 +/- 0.18 g/kg/d vers us 0.93 +/- 0.19 g/kg/d; P < 0.05). In all patients, there was a significan t correlation between protein catabolic rates and percent fat mass changes per year (r = 0.15; P < 0.05). These results showed that body fat mass was decreased significantly in 1 year in male diabetic patients with maintenanc e hemodialysis, suggesting poorer nutritional status in these patients. Poo r protein intake may be one of the risk factors for the decrease in fat mas s. Dual x-ray absorptiometry assessment of fat mass changes Is suggested as a useful method to examine clinically the nutritional status of hemodialys is patients. (C) 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.