Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Have Higher Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms Than Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is common in dialysis patients and is attributed to decreased food intake, and/or chronic systemic inflammation linked to dialysis-related comorbidities and complications. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in dialysis patients and whether this impacts food intake. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Tertiary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: All consenting hospital peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: Patients were interviewed by a dietitian regarding the prevalence and impact of GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, bloating, early satiety, diarrhea, heartburn, fatigue, and weight changes). Serum l..