Role of parathyroid hormone in anorexia on maintenance hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Background and aim: Anorexia, which is a common condition in patients on hemodialysis (HD), is characterized by impaired appetite, a subjective condition that hinders anorexia diagnosis. Anorexia is frequently associated with protein energy wasting and inflammation, increasing morbidity and mortality risk. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between appetite and nutritional, inflammatory, hormonal, and dietary intake parameters in patients on maintenance HD. Methods: Cross-sectional study with clinical, laboratory, and anthropometric parameters, body composition, muscle function, and dietary intake assessment. To evaluate appetite, a three simple questions questionnaire previously validated was used. After appetite classification, the sample was dichotomized in “normal appetite” and “impaired appetite” and compared. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify association between variables and outcome. Results: 125 patients on HD were included, aged 60.6 ± 14.12 years old, median HD vintage 35.5 months. In dichotomized sample, 78.4% patients showed “normal appetite”, and 21.6% “impaired appetite”. “Impaired appetite” was independently associated with increased serum PTH (OR 1.001; 95% CI 1.000–1.002; p = 0.03), low zinc intake (OR 0.860; 95% CI 0.746–0.991; p = 0.03) and lower urea serum (OR 0.982; 95% CI 0.965–0.999; p = 0.04). Both groups showed insufficient dietary intake. Conclusions: Appetite was independently associated with increased serum of PTH, low serum concentration of urea, and low zinc intake which may infer association of appetite with mineral bone disease, protein intake and zinc deficiency.