Body mass index and albumin matching as a diagnostic method for malnutrition in dialysis patients

Abstract

Objectives: observing matching between the BMI and albumin as diagnostic method for malnutrition in dialysis patients.

Design and methods: analytical study of diagnostic methods.

Measurements were done according to Stata's statistical analysis.

Patients: the study was carried out with a group of 76 patients on hemodyalisis and 15 patients on peritoneal dialysis during 4 months in the renal unit at Fresenius Medical Care, Armenia.

Measurements: the patient's BMI and albumin levels are obtained in the medical consultation of the renal and nutritional units. For the present study in February and March 2005 these two parameters were correlated in 76 patients on hemodialysis, for a total amount of 305 samples, likewise, with 15 patients on peritoneal dialysis, for a total amount of 60 samples. It is important to point out that several measurements were taken on the same subject given that these are patients at high risk of malnutrition due to the underlying disease, hence BMI and albumin may vary from one month to the other.

Results: of the 305 samples in hemodialysis, in 11 of them, there was matching between the BMI of less than 20 and albuminemia of less than 3.5 mg/dl. 64 samples showed abuminemia of more than 3.5 mg/dl, with a BMI of less than 20. 33 samples showed abuminemia of less than 3.5 mg/dl with BMI of more than 20. 197 samples showed matching between BMI os more than 20 and abuminemia of more than 3.5 mg/dl For a Kappa index of 0-004 and a Pearson correlation of 0.023.

The 60 samples in peritoneal dialysis, 5 samples showed matching between albuminemia of less than 3.5 mg/dl and BMI of less than 20. In 41 samples matching was found between BMI of more than 20 and albuminemia of more than 3.5mg/dl. In one sample albuminemia of more than 3.5 mg/dl and BMI of less than 20 were found. In 13 cases BMI of more than 20 with albuminemia of less than 3.5 mg/dl. This gives a Kappa index of 0.314 and a Pearson correlation of 0.298.

Conclusions: there is not statistically significant matching between the BMI and albuminemia as diagnostic method for malnutrition in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.