Abstract: Objective Malnutrition which we prefer to call protein energy wasting (PEW) is an independent risk factor for mortality in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Muscle tissue is the largest protein storage pool in human body and is also an indicator for PEW. The relationship between traditional anthropometric parameters and lean tissue mass (LTM) was rarely reported. This study aims at identifying the correlation between anthropometric indices and LTM and at finding a simple method for clinical assessment of muscle mass. Methods MHD patients were recruited in the hemodialysis unit of Peking University People’s Hospital. Patients’demographics and primary cause of ESRD were collected. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Upper arm circumference, arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, grip strength (HGS) and body composition monitor (BCM) were examined pre- dialysis. LTM and lean tissue index for patients (LTI, LTM/height2) were recorded, and serum albumin was assayed. Independent t-testing was used to compare mean values between males and females. Pearson correlation was performed to correlate anthropometric and serum variables with LTM and LTI.Regression method was used to derive an estimation equation. Results A total of 52 MHD patients (28 males and 24 females) were included in this study. The average age of the patients was 51.6±12.2 years, and the median dialysis vintage was 65.5 months. There were significant differences between genders in albumin, HGS, LTM and LTI (t=2.400, 6.412, 5.485 and 3.330, respectively; P=0.020, ＜0.001, ＜0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Pearson correlation analysis showed that only HGS correlated with LTM and LTI (r=0.686 and 0.486, respectively; P＜0.001 and ＜0.001, respectively). Regression method was used to derive an estimation equation. Conclusions There were significant differences in nutritional indices and body composition between males and females. HGS had a better correlation with LTM and LTI, and may be used to evaluate muscle volume simply and noninvasively.

Key words: hemodialysis, anthropometric parameter, protein energy wasting, grip strength, lean tissue mass