The primary outcome of this study was the change in serum albumin level. The secondary outcomes were the changes in other biochemical nutritional and inflammatory markers, including serum prealbumin, cholesterol, total iron binding capacity , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein , and ferritin; dry weight and BMI as surrogates for body mass; serum creatinine/BSA and lean body weight as surrogates for muscle mass; nPNA as a surrogate for dietary protein intake; and the composite French PEW score.
The serum albumin levels were measured using the bromocresol green method. High-sensitivity CRP was measured using turbidometric immunoassay . Other chemical measurements, such as serum prealbumin, total cholesterol, TIBC, creatinine, urea, ferritin, calcium, phosphorus, iPTH, and hemoglobin, were performed using routine methods. Blood samples were collected before the mid-week HD sessions.
Sixty-four patients met the inclusion criteria and were randomly allocated 1:1 in both groups. Four patients dropped out before the end of the study: two in the IG due to acute infection, two in the CG due to renal transplantation, and one transferred to another dialysis unit. Consequently, 60 patients were included in the final analysis . The mean age of the patients was 54 ± 12.7 years, and the mean dialysis vintage was 64 ± 49.3 months.