Research - Nutritional Status

Atherosclerosis and inflammation have been implicated in the alteration of pulsatile characteristics of blood vessels. Analysis of the arterial waveform can be resolved into an index of elasticity for both large (LAEI) and small (SAEI) arteries. SAEI is a novel marker of endothelial function and reduced SAEI is prognostic for cardiac events. Phase angle derived from bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is presumed to indicate cell membrane health and decreased phase angle correlates with increased mortality in PD patients. We evaluated 18 stable, established PD patients with both BIA (Quadscan 4000, BodyStat) and pulse wave analysis (CR2000, Hypertension Diagnostics Inc). We assayed serum and overnight PD effluent for IL-6 and TNFα by ELISA (R&D Systems). Lipid profile, serum albumin, and CRP were also measured.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a non-invasive and easily applied technique which is now widely used in clinical settings. The measured impedance to an alternating current comprises reactance, due to the presence of cellular interfaces which lead to capacitive effects, and resistance due to the presence of extracellular and intracellular electrolyte.

Restoration of body composition indicates successful management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Bioimpedance (BI) index (height2/resistance) is used to predict total body water (TBW) but its performance in SAM, especially with oedema, requires further investigation.