Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective The purpose of this study was to discuss the application of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) in the evaluation of nutrition status among patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods Forty-four MHD patients in our hospital from Jun. to Dec., 2014 were enrolled in this study. Nutrition status of the patients was evaluated by BIA method, body mass index (BMI), and laboratory tests. Results The average BMI was 23.12±3.51, and 9.1% of the patients were at the risk of malnutrition. The laboratory tests showed that serum albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride and uric acid were 41.75 ± 6.34g/L, 3.60 ±0.93mmol/L, 1.23±0.85mmol/L and 402.56±85.99mmol/L, respectively. Serum albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride and uric acid below normal ranges were found in 29.5%, 15.9%, 2.3% and 2.3%, respectively of the 44 patients. The ratio of malnutrition evaluated by BIA was 45.5%, similar to the ratio evaluated by serum albumin (P=0.123) but significantly higher than that by BMI (P=0.000), total cholesterol (P=0.003), triglyceride (P= 0.000), and uric acid (P=0.000). In the 31 patients with normal serum albumin level, 12 cases (38.7%) were found to have lower body cell mass (BCM) suggesting malnutrition by BIA. Conclusion BIA can evaluate human body composition and detect malnutrition status earlier than other methods in MHD patients. BIA is a noninvasive, safe and stable method useful for nutrition evaluation in MHD patients.

Key words: Bioelectric impedance analysis, Maintenance hemodialysis, Nutrition, Body composition