Hung KY, et al. - This study incorporated an inquiry of the consequence of low protein diet on the body composition of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and it examined the impact of age. It was possible to preserve the muscle mass and maintain good nutritional status through the low protein diet, among the elderly CKD patients.

Methods

• The enrollment consisted of patients with glomerular filtration rate less than 45 mL/min/1.73m² including 103 elderly (70.7 ± 6.9 years old) and 56 non-elderly (49.8 ± 9.1 years old) CKD patients.
• All patients were educated by dietitians to take low protein diet and were followed up regularly every three months.
• An appraisal was performed of their demographic data, underlying disease and body mass index (BMI) the findings were recorded.
• Results were cumulated with regard to the body composition measurement and laboratory tests, every three months for one year.

Results

• At baseline, there appeared to be similar distribution of body composition in non-elderly patients between non-low and low protein groups.
• Patients in low protein group reported higher fat and lower muscle percentage, in the elderly.
• There were no marked variations in the non-elderly patients with regard to their BMI, serum albumin level and body compositions in both protein groups, in one-year follow-up.
• Non-low protein group in elderly patients displayed marked decrease in BMI and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after 12 months (both p< 0.05).
• Determination in body composition illustrated decrease in fat and increase in muscle component.
• Decreased BMI and eGFR was not affected, in low protein group.
• It was noted that the fat component was decreased and muscle percentage was increased in one-year follow-up.