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Introduction Impaired activities of daily living (ADL) and falls are important issues in hemodialysis patients. So far, information is limited regarding self‐reported difficulty with ADL (ADL difficulty) in hemodialysis patients. Then, we compared the degree of ADL difficulty and the prevalence of fallers between hemodialysis patients and a nondialyzed control group. Also, the possible association between ADL difficulty and falls was examined. Methods This was a single center, cross‐sectional study including two groups of outpatients aged 50 years or older; 209 prevalent hemodialysis patients, and 139 nonrenal patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and/or dyslipidemia (control group). ADL difficulty score was evaluated by a 48‐item questionnaire including six subscales of ADLs namely locomotion, eating, toileting, dressing, bathing, and grooming. Experience of falls in the previous year period was examined by a questionnaire. Findings The two groups did not differ significantly in age or sex. The hemodialysis group had a higher median (interquartile range) total score of ADL difficulty than the control group [10 (2–39) vs. 2 (0–10); p < 0.001] and a higher prevalence of fallers (73/209, 34.9% vs. 16/139, 11.5%; p < 0.001). In multivariable‐adjusted linear regression analyses, history of falls was independently associated with a higher score of ADL difficulty for total or each of the six subscales. Discussion The hemodialysis patients had a significantly higher ADL difficulty and a higher prevalence of fallers than the control group. Self‐reported ADL difficulty and falls were closely linked regardless of the patient group.

BackgroundXanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) inhibition reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and enhances adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. We investigated the protective effects of XOR inhibitor treatment on sarcopenia, frequently observed in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), in which increased ROS and ATP shortage are known to be involved.MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study included 296 HD patient (203 males, 93 females). Muscle mass, physical performance, and muscle strength were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, five-time chair stand testing, and handgrip strength, respectively. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria were used to define low muscle mass, low physical performance, and low muscle strength, as well as sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia.ResultsSarcopenia and severe sarcopenia prevalence rates were 42.2 and 20.9%, respectively. XOR inhibitor users (n = 119) showed a significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower prevalence of sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia, as well as reduced muscle mass, physical performance, and muscle strength than non-users (n = 177). Multivariate logistic regression analyses also revealed XOR inhibitor use to be significantly associated with low muscle mass [odds ratio (OR), 0.384; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.183–0.806; p = 0.011] and low physical performance (OR, 0.286; 95% CI, 0.142–0.578; p &lt; 0.001), while significance with low muscle strength was borderline. Furthermore, XOR inhibitor use was significantly associated with sarcopenia (OR, 0.462; 95% CI, 0.226–0.947; p = 0.035) and severe sarcopenia (OR, 0.236; 95% CI, 0.091–0.614; p = 0.003).ConclusionsXOR inhibitor use was significantly associated with reduced risk of sarcopenia/severe sarcopenia in HD patients, suggesting that XOR inhibitor treatment has protective effects on sarcopenia in HD patients.

BackgroundMalnutrition and sarcopenia are frequently observed in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). To elucidate whether malnutrition is associated with sarcopenia in those cases, the relationship of nutritional status with sarcopenia was investigated.MethodsNutritional status was assessed using a nutritional risk index (NRI) developed for patients undergoing MHD. This retrospective cross-sectional study included 315 MHD patients (199 males, 116 females), who were divided into low-risk (score 0–7) and medium-/high-risk (score 8–13) groups. Sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia, along with low muscle mass, low muscle strength, and low physical performance were defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria.ResultsThe median NRI score was 5.0, while the prevalence of medium-/high-risk cases among the patients was 31.1%. Additionally, the rates of those with low muscle mass, low muscle strength, and low physical performance were 55.9, 60.6, and 31.4%, respectively, while those of sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia were 44.1 and 20.0%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed a significant (P &lt; 0.001) association of NRI score with sarcopenia [odds ratio (OR) 1.255, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.143–1.377] and severe sarcopenia (OR 1.257, 95% CI 1.122–1.407), as well as low muscle mass (OR 1.260, 95% CI 1.157–1.374), low muscle strength (OR 1.310, 95% CI 1.178–1.457), and low physical performance (OR 1.216, 95% CI 1.104–1.339). Furthermore, medium-/high-risk status showed a significant (P &lt; 0.05) association with sarcopenia (OR 2.960, 95% CI 1.623–5.401) and severe sarcopenia (OR 2.241, 95% CI 1.151–4.362), as well as low muscle mass (OR 2.141, 95% CI 1.219–3.760), low muscle strength (OR 7.665, 95% CI 3.438–17.091), and low physical performance (OR 2.570, 95% CI 1.401–4.716).ConclusionsThese results suggest that malnutrition contributes to sarcopenia/severe sarcopenia in MHD patients by reducing muscle mass and strength, and physical performance.

Carnitine deficiency is prevalent in patients undergoing hemodialysis, and it could result in lowered muscle strength. So far, the effect of treatment with levocarnitine on lower limb muscle strength has not been well described. This observational study examined the association between treatment with levocarnitine with the change in knee extensor strength (KES) in hemodialysis patients. Eligible patients were selected from the participants enrolled in a prospective cohort study for whom muscle strength was measured annually. We identified 104 eligible patients for this analysis. During the one-year period between 2014 to 2015, 67 patients were treated with intravenous levocarnitine (1000 mg per shot, thrice weekly), whereas 37 patients were not. The change in KES was significantly higher (p = 0.01) in the carnitine group [0.02 (0.01–0.04) kgf/kg] as compared to the non-carnitine group [−0.02 (−0.04 to 0.01) kgf/kg]. Multivariable-adjusted regression analysis showed the positive association between the change in KES and the treatment with levocarnitine remained significant after adjustment for the baseline KES and other potential confounders. Thus, treatment with intravenous levocarnitine was independently and positively associated with the change in KES among hemodialysis patients. Further clinical trials are needed to provide more solid evidence.