ABSTRACT
AIM: To study nutritional status of old patients on programmed hemodialysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 82 patients aged 60-88 years were divided into two groups by age: group 1 (n = 41) consisted of 60-75 year-olds, group 2 (n = 41) included 76-year-olds and older. The nutritional status (NS) was assessed by anthropometric and laboratory data, a prognostic hypotrophy index. RESULTS: In group 1 NS was normal in 65.9% patients while in group 2--only in 29.2%. Older patients had obesity in 21.9% cases. CONCLUSION: It is shown that two thirds of presenile and senile patients have abnormal nutritional status. Taking into consideration the fact that protein-energy insufficiency is an unfavourable factor affecting the patients'survival, old patients need a special control of nutritional status and its early correction.
