Results of a single blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to study the effect of intravenous L-carnitine supplementation on health-related quality of life in Indian patients on maintenance hemodialysis.
Indian J Med Sci
;
2006 Apr; 60(4): 143-53
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-67895
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Carnitine insufficiency is responsible for various co-morbid conditions in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. L-carnitine supplementation is expected to improve the quality of life (QoL) of patients on MHD.AIMS:
To study the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on QoL of Indian patients on MHD. SETTING ANDDESIGN:
This was a single (patient) blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted on patients on MHD attending hemodialysis unit of the study center. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Twenty patients on MHD suffering from hemodialysis-related symptoms were randomly assigned to receive intravenous L-carnitine 20 mg/kg or placebo after every dialysis session for 8 weeks. SF36 (Short Form with 36 questions) score for QoL, laboratory investigations and dialysis related symptoms were recorded at baseline and after 8 weeks. Improvement in QoL, laboratory parameters and dialysis related symptoms in the two groups after 8 weeks was compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Depending on normality of data, unpaired T test or Mann Whitney U test was used for comparison of change (8 weeks-baseline) in SF36 scores and laboratory parameters observed in the two groups.RESULTS:
L-carnitine supplementation increased total SF36 score by 18.29 +/- 12.71 (95% CI 10.41 to 26) while placebo resulted in reduction in total SF36 score by 6.4 +/- 16.39 (95% CI -16.59 to 3.73). L-carnitine also resulted in significant increase in hemoglobin and serum albumin and decrease in serum creatinine as compared to placebo. More patients were relieved of dialysis related symptoms in L-carnitine group.CONCLUSION:
Intravenous L-carnitine supplementation improves QoL in patients on MHD.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Quality of Life
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Carnitine
/
Single-Blind Method
/
Renal Dialysis
/
Muscle Weakness
/
Adult
/
Dietary Supplements
Type of study:
Controlled clinical trial
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Indian J Med Sci
Year:
2006
Type:
Article
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