Assessment of bioimpedance spectroscopy devices: a comparative study and error analysis of gold-plated copper electrodes.

Objective. Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool to derive fluid volume compartments from frequency dependent voltage drops in alternating currents by extrapolating to the extracellular resistance (R0) and intracellular resistance (Ri). Here we tested whether a novel BIS device with reusable and adhesive single-use electrodes produces results which are (in various body positions) equivalent to an established system employing only single-use adhesive electrodes.Approach. Two BIS devices ('Cella' and the 'Body Composition Monitor' [BCM]) were compared using four dedicated resistance testboxes and by measuring 40 healthy volunteers.Invivocomparisons included supine wrist-to-ankle (WA) reference measurements and wrist-to-wrist (WW) measurements with pre-gelled silver/silver-chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes and WW measurements with reusable gold-plated copper electrodes.Main results. Coefficient of variation were <1% for all testbox measurements with both BIS devices. Accuracy was within ±1% of true resistance variability, a threshold which was only exceeded by the Cella device for all resistances in a testbox designed with a lowR0/Riratio.Invivo, WA-BIS differed significantly between BIS devices (p< 0.001). Reusable WW electrodes exhibited larger resistances than WW-BIS with Ag/AgCl electrodes (R0: 738.36 and 628.69 Ω;Ri: 1508.18 and 1390 Ω) and the relative error varied from 7.6% to 31.1% (R0) and -15.6% to 37.3% (Ri).Significance. Both BIS devices produced equivalent resistances measurements but different estimates of body composition bothinsilicoand in WA setupsinvivo, suggesting that the devices should not be used interchangeably. Employing WW reusable electrodes as opposed to WA and WW measurement setups with pre-gelled Ag/AgCl electrodes seems to be associated with measurement variations that are too large for safe clinical use. We recommend further investigations of measurement errors originating from electrode material and current path.

Fluid volume management in hemodialysis: never give up!

Every hemodialysis session starts with the question of how much fluid should be removed, which can currently not be answered precisely. Herein, we first revisit the "probing-dry-weight" concept, using the historical example of Tassin/France (practicing also "long, slow dialysis"): Mortality outcomes were, in the 1980s, better than registry data, but are nowadays similar to European average. In view of the negative primary end point in a recent trial on dry weight assessment, based on lung ultrasound-guided evaluation of fluid excess in the lungs, and a meta-analysis of prospective studies failing to show that bioimpedance-based interventions for correction of volume overload had a direct effect on all-cause mortality, we ask how to ever move forward. Clinical reasoning demands that as much information as possible should be gathered on the fluid status of patients undergoing dialysis. Besides body weight and blood pressure, measurements of bioimpedance and dialysate bolus-derived absolute blood volume can in principle be automatized, whereas lung ultrasound can be obtained routinely. In the era of machine learning, fluid management could consist of flexible target weight prescriptions, adjusted on a daily basis and accounting even for fluctuations in fluid-free body mass. In view of all the negative prospective results surrounding fluid management in hemodialysis, we propose this as a "never-give-up" approach.

Ultrafiltration-induced decrease in relative blood volume is larger in hemodialysis patients with low specific blood volume: Results from a dialysate bolus administration study.

INTRODUCTION: Prescribing the ultrafiltration in hemodialysis patients remains challenging and might benefit from the information on absolute blood volume, estimated by intradialytic dialysate bolus administration. Here, we aimed at determining the relationship between absolute blood volume, normalized for body mass (specific blood volume, Vs), and ultrafiltration-induced decrease in relative blood volume (∆RBV) as well as clinical parameters including body mass index (BMI). METHODS: This retrospective analysis comprised 77 patients who had their dialysate bolus-based absolute blood volume extracted routinely with an automated method. Patient-specific characteristics and ∆RBV were analyzed as a function of Vs, dichotomizing the data above or below a previously proposed threshold of 65 ml/kg for Vs. Statistical methodology comprised descriptive analyses, two-group comparisons, and correlation analyses. FINDINGS: Median Vs was 68.6 ml/kg (54.9 ml/kg [Quartile 1], 83.4 ml/kg [Quartile 3]). Relative blood volume decreased by 6.3% (2.6%, 12.2%) over the entire hemodialysis session. Vs correlated inversely with BMI (rs  = -0.688, p < 0.001). ∆RBV was 9.8% in the group of patients with Vs <65 ml/kg versus 6.0% in the group of patients with Vs ≥65 ml/kg (p = 0.024). The two groups did not differ significantly regarding their specific ultrafiltration volume, normalized for body mass, which amounted to 34.1 ml/kg and 36.0 ml/kg in both groups, respectively (p = 0.630). ∆RBV correlated inversely with Vs (rs  = -0.299, p = 0.008). DISCUSSION: The present study suggests that patients with higher BMI and lower Vs experience larger blood volume changes, despite similar ultrafiltration requirements. These results underline the clinical plausibility and importance of dialysate bolus-based absolute blood volume determination in the assessment of target weight, especially in view of a previous study where intradialytic morbid events could be decreased when the target weight was adjusted, based on Vs.

Feasibility of Dialysate Bolus-Based Absolute Blood Volume Estimation in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Absolute blood volume (ABV) is a critical component of fluid status, which may inform target weight prescriptions and hemodynamic vulnerability of dialysis patients. Here, we utilized the changes in relative blood volume (RBV), monitored by ultrasound (BVM) upon intradialytic 240 mL dialysate fluid bolus-infusion 1 h after hemodialysis start, to calculate the session-specific ABV. With the main goal of assessing clinical feasibility, our sub-aims were to (i) standardize the BVM-data read-out; (ii) determine optimal time-points for ABV-calculation, "before-" and "after-bolus"; (iii) assess ABV-variation. METHODS: We used high-level programming language and basic descriptive statistics in a retrospective study of routinely measured BVM-data from 274 hemodialysis sessions in 98 patients. RESULTS: Regarding (i) and (ii), we automatized the processing of RBV-data, and determined an algorithm to select the adequate RBV-data points for ABV-calculations. Regarding (iii), we found in 144 BVM-curves from 75 patients, that the average ABV ± standard deviation was 5.2 ± 1.5 L and that among those 51 patients who still had ≥2 valid estimates, the average intra-patient standard deviation in ABV was 0.8 L. Twenty-seven of these patients had an average intra-patient standard deviation in ABV <0.5 L. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate feasibility of ABV-calculation by an automated algorithm after dialysate bolus-administration, based on the BVM-curve. Based on our results from this simple "abridged" calculation approach with routine clinical measurements, we encourage the use of multi-compartment modeling and comparison with reference methods of ABV-determination. Hopes are high that clinicians will be able to use ABV to inform target weight prescription, improving hemodynamic stability.

Bioimpedance spectroscopy for fluid status assessment in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis: Implications for peritoneal dialysis.

Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is routinely used in peritoneal dialysis patients and might aid fluid status assessment in patients with liver cirrhosis, but the effect of ascites volume removal on BIS-readings is unknown. Here we determined changes in BIS-derived parameters and clinical signs of fluid overload from before to after abdominal paracentesis. Per our pre-specified sample size calculation, we studied 31 cirrhotic patients, analyzing demographics, labs and clinical parameters along with BIS results. Mean volume of the abdominal paracentesis was 7.8 ± 2.6 L. From pre-to post-paracentesis, extracellular volume (ECV) decreased (20.2 ± 5.2 L to 19.0 ± 4.8 L), total body volume decreased (39.8 ± 9.8 L to 37.8 ± 8.5 L) and adipose tissue mass decreased (38.4 ± 16.0 kg to 29.9 ± 12.9 kg; all p < 0.002). Correlation of BIS-derived parameters from pre to post-paracentesis ranged from R² = 0.26 for body cell mass to R² = 0.99 for ECV. Edema did not correlate with BIS-derived fluid overload (FO ≥ 15% ECV), which occurred in 16 patients (51.6%). In conclusion, BIS-derived information on fluid status did not coincide with clinical judgement. The changes in adipose tissue mass support the BIS-model assumption that fluid in the peritoneal cavity is not detectable, suggesting that ascites (or peritoneal dialysis fluid) mass should be subtracted from adipose tissue if BIS is used in patients with a full peritoneal cavity.

Three compartment bioimpedance spectroscopy in the nutritional assessment and the outcome of patients with advanced or end stage kidney disease: What have we learned so far?

Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is an easily applicable tool to assess body composition. The three compartment model BIS (3C BIS) conventionally expresses body composition as lean tissue index (LTI) (lean tissue mass [LTM]/height in meters squared) and fat tissue index (FTI) (adipose tissue mass/height in meters squared), and a virtual compartment reflecting fluid overload (FO). It has been studied extensively in relation to diagnosis and treatment guidance of fluid status disorders in patients with advanced-stage or end-stage renal disease. It is the aim of this article to provide a narrative review on the relevance of 3C BIS in the nutritional assessment in this population. At a population level, LTI decreases after the start of hemodialysis, whereas FTI increases. LTI below the 10th percentile is a consistent predictor of outcome whereas a low FTI is predominantly associated with outcome when combined with a low LTI. Recent research also showed the connection between low LTI, inflammation, and FO, which are cumulatively associated with an increased mortality risk. However, studies toward nutritional interventions based on BIS data are still lacking in this population. In conclusion, 3C BIS, by disentangling the components of body mass index, has contributed to our understanding of the relevance of abnormalities in different body compartments in chronic kidney disease patients, and appears to be a valuable prognostic tool, at least at a population level. Studies assessing the effect of BIS guided nutritional intervention could further support its use in the daily clinical care for renal patients.

An analysis of the impact of fluid overload and fluid depletion for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

BACKGROUND: Both baseline fluid overload (FO) and fluid depletion are associated with increased mortality risk and cardiovascular complications in haemodialysis patients. Fluid status may vary substantially over time, and this variability could also be associated with poor outcomes. METHODS: In our retrospective cohort study, including 4114 haemodialysis patients from 34 Romanian dialysis units, we investigated both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk according to baseline pre- and post-dialysis volume status, changes in pre- and post-dialysis fluid status during follow-up (time-varying survival analysis), pre-post changes in volume status during dialysis and pre-dialysis fluid status variability during the first 6 months of evaluation. RESULTS: According to their pre-dialysis fluid status, patients were stratified in the following groups: normovolaemic with an absolute FO (AFO) compartment between -1.1 and 1.1 L, fluid depletion with an AFO below -1.1 L, moderate FO with an AFO compartment >1.1 but <2.5 L and severe FO with the AFO compartment >2.5 L. Baseline pre-dialysis FO and fluid depletion patients had a significantly elevated risk of all-cause mortality risk {hazard ratio [HR] 1.53 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-1.93], HR 2.04 (95% CI 1.59-2.60) and HR 1.88 (95% CI 1.07-3.39) for moderate FO, severe FO and fluid depletion, respectively}. In contrast, post-dialysis fluid depletion was associated with better survival [HR 0.71 (95% CI 0.57-0.89)]. Similar results were found when using changes in pre- or post-dialysis fluid status during follow-up (time-varying values): FO patients had an increased risk of all-cause [moderate FO: HR 1.39 (95% CI 1.11-1.75); severe FO: HR 2.29 (95% CI 2.01-3.31] and cardiovascular (CV) mortality [moderate FO: HR 1.34 (95% CI 1.05-1.70); severe FO: HR 2.34 (95% CI 1.67-3.28)] as compared with normohydrated patients. Using pre-post changes in volume status during dialysis, we categorized the patients into six groups: Group 1, AFO <-1.1 L pre- and post-dialysis; Group 2, AFO between -1.1 and 1.1 L pre-dialysis and <-1.1 L post-dialysis (the reference group); Group 3, AFO between -1.1 and 1.1 L pre- and post-dialysis; Group 4, AFO >1.1 L pre-dialysis and <-1.1 L post-dialysis; Group 5, AFO >1.1 L pre-dialysis and between -1.1 and 1.1 L post-dialysis; Group 6, AFO >1.1 L pre- and post-dialysis. Using the baseline values, only patients in Groups 1, 5 and 6 maintained an increased risk for all-cause mortality as compared with the reference group. Additionally, CV mortality risk was significantly higher for patients in Groups 5 and 6. When we applied the time-varying analysis, patients in Groups 1, 5 and 6 had a significantly higher risk for both all-cause and CV mortality risk. In the last approach, the highest risk for the all-cause mortality outcome was observed for patients with high-amplitude fluctuation during the first 6 months of evaluation [HR 2.75 (95% CI 1.29-5.84)]. CONCLUSION: We reconfirm the association between baseline pre- and post-dialysis volume status and mortality in dialysis patients; additionally, we showed that greater fluid status variability is independently associated with higher mortality.

Validating the use of bioimpedance spectroscopy for assessment of fluid status in children.

BACKGROUND: Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) with a whole-body model to distinguish excess fluid from major body tissue hydration can provide objective assessment of fluid status. BIS is integrated into the Body Composition Monitor (BCM) and is validated in adults, but not children. This study aimed to (1) assess agreement between BCM-measured total body water (TBW) and a gold standard technique in healthy children, (2) compare TBW_BCM with TBW from Urea Kinetic Modelling (UKM) in haemodialysis children and (3) investigate systematic deviation from zero in measured excess fluid in healthy children across paediatric age range. METHODS: TBW_BCM and excess fluid was determined from standard wrist-to-ankle BCM measurement. TBW_D2O was determined from deuterium concentration decline in serial urine samples over 5 days in healthy children. UKM was used to measure body water in children receiving haemodialysis. Agreement between methods was analysed using paired t test and Bland-Altman method comparison. RESULTS: In 61 healthy children (6-14 years, 32 male), mean TBW_BCM and TBW_D2O were 21.1 ± 5.6 and 20.5 ± 5.8 L respectively. There was good agreement between TBW_BCM and TBW_D2O (R2 = 0.97). In six haemodialysis children (4-13 years, 4 male), 45 concomitant measurements over 8 months showed good TBW_BCM and TBW_UKM agreement (mean difference - 0.4 L, 2SD = ± 3.0 L). In 634 healthy children (2-17 years, 300 male), BCM-measured overhydration was - 0.1 ± 0.7 L (10-90th percentile - 0.8 to + 0.6 L). There was no correlation between age and OH (p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest BCM can be used in children as young as 2 years to measure normally hydrated weight and assess fluid status.

Greater fluid overload and lower interdialytic weight gain are independently associated with mortality in a large international hemodialysis population.

Background: Fluid overload and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) are discrete components of the dynamic fluid balance in haemodialysis patients. We aimed to disentangle their relationship, and the prognostic importance of two clinically distinct, bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS)-derived measures, pre-dialysis and post-dialysis fluid overload (FOpre and FOpost) versus IDWG. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 38 614 incident patients with one or more BIS measurement within 90 days of haemodialysis initiation (1 October 2010 through 28 February 2015). We used fractional polynomial regression to determine the association pattern between FOpre, FOpost and IDWG, and multivariate adjusted Cox models with FO and/or IDWG as longitudinal and time-varying predictors to determine all-cause mortality risk. Results: In analyses using 1-month averages, patients in quartiles 3 and 4 (Q3 and Q4) of FO had an incrementally higher adjusted mortality risk compared with reference Q2, and patients in Q1 of IDWG had higher adjusted mortality compared with Q2. The highest adjusted mortality risk was observed for patients in Q4 of FOpre combined with Q1 of IDWG [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.66 (95% confidence interval 2.21-3.20), compared with FOpre-Q2/IDWG-Q2 (reference)]. Using longitudinal means of FO and IDWG only slightly altered all HRs. IDWG associated positively with FOpre, but negatively with FOpost, suggesting a link with post-dialysis extracellular volume depletion. Conclusions: FOpre and FOpost were consistently positive risk factors for mortality. Low IDWG was associated with short-term mortality, suggesting perhaps an effect of protein-energy wasting. FOpost reflected the volume status without IDWG, which implies that this fluid marker is clinically most intuitive and may be best suited to guide volume management in haemodialysis patients.

Elevated tissue sodium deposition in patients with type 2 diabetes on hemodialysis detected by 23Na magnetic resonance imaging.

Long-term elevated blood sugar levels result in tissue matrix compositional changes in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). We hypothesized that hemodialysis patients with T2DM might accumulate more tissue sodium than control hemodialysis patients. To test this, 23Na magnetic resonance imaging (23Na MRI) was used to estimate sodium in skin and muscle tissue in hemodialysis patients with or without T2DM. Muscle fat content was estimated by 1H MRI and tissue sodium content by 23Na MRI pre- and post-hemodialysis in ten hemodialysis patients with T2DM and in 30 matched control hemodialysis patients. We also assessed body fluid distribution with the Body Composition Monitor. 1H MRI indicated a tendency to higher muscle fat content in hemodialysis patients with T2DM compared to non-diabetic hemodialysis patients. 23Na MRI indicated increased sodium content in muscle and skin tissue of hemodialysis patients with T2DM compared to control hemodialysis patients. Multi-frequency bioimpedance was used to estimate extracellular water (ECW), and excess ECW in T2DM hemodialysis patients correlated with HbA1c levels. Sodium mobilization during hemodialysis lowered muscle sodium content post-dialysis to a greater degree in T2DM hemodialysis patients than in control hemodialysis patients. Thus, our findings provide evidence that increased sodium accumulation occurs in hemodialysis patients with T2DM and that impaired serum glucose metabolism is associated with disturbances in tissue sodium and water content.

Physical Activity in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients: The Effects of Starting Dialysis in the First 6 Months after the Transition Period.

OBJECTIVES: Physical inactivity in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is associated with increased mortality, and might be related to abnormalities in body composition (BC) and physical performance. It is uncertain to what extent starting dialysis influences the effects of ESRD on physical activity (PA). This study aimed to compare PA and physical performance between stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD-5) non-dialysis and dialysis patients, and healthy controls, to assess alterations in PA during the transition from CKD-5 non-dialysis to dialysis, and to relate PA to BC. METHODS: For the cross-sectional analyses 44 CKD-5 non-dialysis patients, 29 dialysis patients, and 20 healthy controls were included. PA was measured by the SenseWear™ pro3. Also, the walking speed and handgrip strength (HGS) were measured. BC was measured by the Body Composition Monitor©. Longitudinally, these parameters were assessed in 42 CKD-5 non-dialysis patients (who were also part of the cross-sectional analysis), before the start of dialysis and 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: PA was significantly lower in CKD-5 non-dialysis patients as compared to that in healthy controls but not as compared to that in dialysis patients. HGS was significantly lower in dialysis patients as compared to that in healthy controls. Walking speed was significantly lower in CKD-5 non-dialysis patients as compared to that in healthy controls but not as compared to that in dialysis patients. Six months after starting dialysis, activity related energy expenditure (AEE) and walking speed significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: PA is already lower in CKD-5 non-dialysis patients as compared to that in healthy controls and does not differ from that of dialysis patients. However, the transition phase from CKD-5 non-dialysis to dialysis is associated only with a modest improvement in AEE.

Chronic Fluid Overload and Mortality in ESRD.

Sustained fluid overload (FO) is considered a major cause of hypertension, heart failure, and mortality in patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis. However, there has not been a cohort study investigating the relationship between chronic exposure to FO and mortality in this population. We studied the relationship of baseline and cumulative FO exposure over 1 year with mortality in 39,566 patients with incident ESRD in a large dialysis network in 26 countries using whole-body bioimpedance spectroscopy to assess fluid status. Analyses were applied across three discrete systolic BP (syst-BP) categories (<130, 130-160, and >160 mmHg), with nonoverhydrated patients with syst-BP=130-160 mmHg as the reference category; >200,000 FO measurements were performed over follow-up. Baseline FO value predicted excess risk of mortality across syst-BP categories (<130 mmHg: hazard ratio [HR], 1.51; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.38 to 1.65; 130-160 mmHg: HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.36; >160 mmHg: HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.42; all P<0.001). However, cumulative 1-year FO exposure predicted a higher death risk (P<0.001) across all syst-BP categories (<130 mmHg: HR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.68 to 2.23; 130-160 mmHg: HR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.35 to 1.69; >160 mmHg: HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.39 to 1.90). In conclusion, chronic exposure to FO in ESRD is a strong risk factor for death across discrete BP categories. Whether treatment policies that account for fluid status monitoring are preferable to policies that account solely for predialysis BP measurements remains to be tested in a clinical trial.

Identificar situaciones de riesgo para los pacientes en hemodiálisis mediante la adecuada valoración de su composición corporal / Risk identification in haemodialysis patients by appropriate body composition assessment

Introducción Circunstancias como el género, la edad, la presencia de diabetes mellitus (DM) y la insuficiencia renal tienen impacto sobre la composición corporal de los pacientes. Sin embargo, a la hora de evaluar parámetros nutricionales como el tejido magro y graso de los pacientes en hemodiálisis (HD) se emplean valores de referencia provenientes de población sana. Objetivos: Analizar la composición corporal mediante bioimpedancia espectroscópica (BIS) de 6.395 pacientes en HD para obtener valores de referencia de índice de tejido magro (ITM) y de índice de tejido graso (ITG) procedentes de pacientes en HD y confirmar su validez al demostrar que aquellos con un ITM por debajo del percentil 10 calculado para su grupo tienen mayor riesgo de muerte. Material y métodos Usamos la BIS para determinar el ITM e ITG de nuestra cohorte de pacientes en HD en España. Calculamos el percentil 10 y el percentil 90 del ITM e ITG en cada decil de edad de pacientes, agrupados según su género y presencia de DM. Recogemos parámetros clínicos, analíticos y demográficos. Resultados: Objetivamos que los valores del percentil 10 y del 90 de ITM/ITG varían en función del grupo (edad, género y presencia de DM) y que, tras ajustar por otros factores de riesgo como la sobrehidratación, los pacientes con ITM inferior al percentil 10 tienen mayor riesgo relativo de muerte (OR 1,57) que aquellos con valores superiores. Conclusiones: Monitorizar el ITM e ITG de los pacientes en HD CON adecuados valores de referencia puede ser útil para identificar situaciones de riesgo en los pacientes en HD (AU)

Introduction: Circumstances such as gender, age, diabetes mellitus (DM) and renal failure impact on the body composition of patients. However, we use nutritional parameters such as lean and fat tissue with reference values from healthy subjects to assess the nutritional status of haemodialysis (HD) patients. Aims: To analyse body composition by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) of 6395 HD patients in order to obtain reference values of lean tissue index (LTI) and fat tissue index (FTI) from HD patients; and to confirm its validity by showing that those patients with LTI below the 10th percentile calculated for their group have greatest risk of death. Material and methods: We used the BIS to determine the LTI and FTI in our cohort of HD patients in Spain. We calculated the 10th percentile and 90th percentile of LTI and FTI in each age decile for patients grouped by gender and presence of DM. We collected clinical, laboratory and demographic parameters. Results: The LTI/FTI 10 and 90 percentile values varied by group (age, gender and presence of DM) and, after adjusting for other risk factors such as fluid overload, those patients with LTI lower than percentile 10 had a higher relative risk of death (OR 1.57) than those patients with higher values. Conclusions: Monitoring the LTI and FTI of patients on HD using suitable reference values may help to identify risk in this patient population (AU)

Ultra-long-term human salt balance studies reveal interrelations between sodium, potassium, and chloride intake and excretion.

BACKGROUND: The intake of sodium, chloride, and potassium is considered important to healthy nutrition and cardiovascular disease risk. Estimating the intake of these electrolytes is difficult and usually predicated on urine collections, commonly for 24 h, which are considered the gold standard. We reported on data earlier for sodium but not for potassium or chloride. OBJECTIVE: We were able to test the value of 24-h urine collections in a unique, ultra-long-term balance study conducted during a simulated trip to Mars. DESIGN: Four healthy men were observed while ingesting 12 g salt/d, 9 g salt/d, and 6 g salt/d, while their potassium intake was maintained at 4 g/d for 105 d. Six healthy men were studied while ingesting 12 g salt/d, 9 g salt/d, and 6 g salt/d, with a re-exposure of 12 g/d, while their potassium intake was maintained at 4 g/d for 205 d. Food intake and other constituents were recorded every day for each subject. All urine output was collected daily. RESULTS: Long-term urine recovery rates for all 3 electrolytes were very high. Rather than the expected constant daily excretion related to daily intake, we observed remarkable daily variation in excretion, with a 7-d infradian rhythm at a relatively constant intake. We monitored 24-h aldosterone excretion in these studies and found that aldosterone appeared to be the regulator for all 3 electrolytes. We report Bland-Altman analyses on the value of urine collections to estimate intake. CONCLUSIONS: A single 24-h urine collection cannot predict sodium, potassium, or chloride intake; thus, multiple collections are necessary. This information is important when assessing electrolyte intake in individuals.

Risk identification in haemodialysis patients by appropriate body composition assessment. / Identificar situaciones de riesgo para los pacientes en hemodiálisis mediante la adecuada valoración de su composición corporal.

INTRODUCTION: Circumstances such as gender, age, diabetes mellitus (DM) and renal failure impact on the body composition of patients. However, we use nutritional parameters such as lean and fat tissue with reference values from healthy subjects to assess the nutritional status of haemodialysis (HD) patients. AIMS: To analyse body composition by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) of 6395 HD patients in order to obtain reference values of lean tissue index (LTI) and fat tissue index (FTI) from HD patients; and to confirm its validity by showing that those patients with LTI below the 10th percentile calculated for their group have greatest risk of death. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used the BIS to determine the LTI and FTI in our cohort of HD patients in Spain. We calculated the 10th percentile and 90th percentile of LTI and FTI in each age decile for patients grouped by gender and presence of DM. We collected clinical, laboratory and demographic parameters. RESULTS: The LTI/FTI 10 and 90 percentile values varied by group (age, gender and presence of DM) and, after adjusting for other risk factors such as fluid overload, those patients with LTI lower than percentile 10 had a higher relative risk of death (OR 1.57) than those patients with higher values. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring the LTI and FTI of patients on HD using suitable reference values may help to identify risk in this patient population.

Agreement between 24-hour salt ingestion and sodium excretion in a controlled environment.

Accurately collected 24-hour urine collections are presumed to be valid for estimating salt intake in individuals. We performed 2 independent ultralong-term salt balance studies lasting 105 (4 men) and 205 (6 men) days in 10 men simulating a flight to Mars. We controlled dietary intake of all constituents for months at salt intakes of 12, 9, and 6 g/d and collected all urine. The subjects' daily menus consisted of 27 279 individual servings, of which 83.0% were completely consumed, 16.5% completely rejected, and 0.5% incompletely consumed. Urinary recovery of dietary salt was 92% of recorded intake, indicating long-term steady-state sodium balance in both studies. Even at fixed salt intake, 24-hour urine collection for sodium excretion (UNaV) showed infradian rhythmicity. We defined a ±25 mmol deviation from the average difference between recorded sodium intake and UNaV as the prediction interval to accurately classify a 3-g difference in salt intake. Because of the biological variability in UNaV, only every other daily urine sample correctly classified a 3-g difference in salt intake (49%). By increasing the observations to 3 consecutive 24-hour collections and sodium intakes, classification accuracy improved to 75%. Collecting seven 24-hour urines and sodium intake samples improved classification accuracy to 92%. We conclude that single 24-hour urine collections at intakes ranging from 6 to 12 g salt per day were not suitable to detect a 3-g difference in individual salt intake. Repeated measurements of 24-hour UNaV improve precision. This knowledge could be relevant to patient care and the conduct of intervention trials.