Abstract: Objective To investigate the protein-energy wasting (PEW) and its impact on quality of life in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods A total of 205 MHD patients treated in our hospitals were enrolled in this study. They were followed up. Laboratory examinations, body measurements, body composition monitor, and normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) to evaluate PEW, and kidney disease and quality of life (KDQOLTM-36) were conducted. They were then divided into PEW group and non-PEW group for statistical analyses. Results In the 194 MHD patients 40 cases were diagnosed as PEW. Lean tissue index, body cell mass, mid-arm circumference and hand-grips were lower in PEW group than in non-PEW group. Logistic regression showed that C- reactive protein was the risk factor for PEW (OR=1.064, 95% CI 1.023～1.109, P=0.001), while spKt/V＞1.2 and nPCR＞0.8g/(kg·d) were the protect factors for PEW (OR=0.638, 95% CI 0.430-0.954, P=0.029 for spKt/V; OR=0.017, 95% CI 0.005～0.059, P＜0.001 for nPCR). The scores of all dimensions in the KDQOLTM- 36 were lower in PEW group than in non-PEW group, especially the scores of general health (t=2.432, P=0.018), social emotions (t=2.510, P=0.012), energy/fatigue (t=2.361, P=0.020) and symptoms/problems (t=3.337, P=0.001). Conclusion The incidence of PEW in MHD patients was 20.6% in Zhengzhou city. Wasting of muscle tissue was the characteristic of PEW. Dietary intake, dialysis adequacy and inflammatory state were the influence factors for PEW. PEW affected the quality of life in MHD patients.

Key words: Protein-energy wasting, Maintenance hemodialysis, Body composition monitor, Quality of life