Chapter 29: Nutrition and the Kidney in the Elderly Patient

Both older persons and persons with kidney failure are highly prone to develop nutritional deficiencies (Table 1). The major nutritional problem experienced by both groups is weight loss associated with protein energy malnutrition. Renal failure patients with low body mass index, weight loss, low albumin, and low cholesterol all have increased morbidity and mortality.1 These are classical components of the malnutrition, inflammation, and atherosclerosis (MIA) syndrome in ESRD. Similarly, in older persons, weight loss is associated with increased mortality.