Objective: to estimate the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia in hospitalized elders, related to socio-demographic variables, nutritional status and length of stay. Methods: crosscutting study with 200 patients hospitalized in a large hospital in the South of Brazil during three months. Evaluations, lab tests and interviews through questionnaires were performed. Results: the average albuminemia was 2,9 ± 0,5g/dL. Hypoalbuminemia was diagnosed in 173 subjects (87%) and was absent in 27 (13%) that have normal albuminemia (p=0,000). After six days of hospitalization, the prevalence of low levels grew significantly to 90% (p=0,002), average 2,7 ± 0,5g/dL. Using the Mini Nutritional Assessment, it was observed that 41 patients were malnourished and from those, 40 had hypoalbuminemia. Conclusion: the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia proved to be high, in approx. nine in ten elders, and the nutritional status and the length of stay proved to be related to the decrease of serum albumin levels. Thus, it is suggested that monitoring albumin levels should be done to evaluate the risk that the patient has to develop malnutrition and other complications during hospital stays.

Objetivos: Avaliar o estado nutricional e fatores associados em pacientes renais crônicos em hemodiálise. Métodos: Estudo do tipo transversal realizado no serviço de hemodiálise do Hospital São Vicente de Paulo, na cidade de Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. A avaliação antropométrica consistiu de peso (antes e após o período de hemodiálise), índice de massa corporal, circunferência muscular do braço, área muscular do braço, prega cutânea tricipital e espessura do músculo adutor do polegar (estas variáveis somente após o período de hemodiálise). Os exames bioquímicos realizados foram albumina, colesterol e transferrina. O recordatório alimentar foi aplicado para calorias totais e proteínas. Resultados: Foram avaliados 90 pacientes, sendo 70 (77,8%) homens. Pelo índice de massa corporal, 38 pacientes (42,2%) tinham excesso de peso, 45 (50%) eram eutróficos e sete (7,8%) tinham baixo peso após a diálise. Excesso de peso foi estimado em 18 (20%) dos pacientes pela prega cutânea tricipital e em nenhum paciente pelas outras medidas antropométricas utilizadas. Depleção nutricional foi identificada em 53 pacientes (58,9%) pela prega cutânea tricipital, em 37 (41,1%) pela circunferência muscular do braço, em 72 (80%) pela área muscular do braço e em 84 (95,4%) pela dosagem de albumina. O consumo alimentar de energia e o consumo de proteína estiveram abaixo dos padrões de referência e foram significativamente menores nos pacientes com excesso de peso. Conclusões: Houve elevada prevalência de excesso de peso avaliado pelo índice de massa corporal, enquanto a maioria dos pacientes apresentou depleção nutricional nas demais variáveis antropométricas, com concomitante diminuição da albumina e da massa magra, após o período de hemodiálise. DESCRITORES: DIÁLISE RENAL; ESTADO NUTRICIONAL; DESNUTRIÇÃO; FALÊNCIA RENAL CRÔNICA. ABSTRACT Aims:To assess the nutritional status and associated factors in chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a referral nephrology center at Hospital São Vicente de Paulo, in the city of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul state. Anthropometric evaluation consisted of weight (before and after the period of hemodialysis), body mass index, arm muscle circumference, arm muscle area, triceps skinfold thickness and thickness of the thumb muscle (these only after the period of hemodialysis). Biochemical tests included albumin, transferrin and cholesterol. The dietary recall was applied to total calories and protein.Results: Ninety patients were evaluated, of whom 70 (77.8%) men. Using body mass index, 38 patients (42.2%) were overweight, 45 (50%) were normal and 7 (7.8%) were underweight after dialysis. Overweight was estimated in 18 (20%) patients by triceps skinfold and in no patient by the other anthropometric measures used. Nutritional depletion was identified in 53 patients (58.9%) using the triceps skinfold, in 37 (41.1%) by arm muscle circumference, in 72 (80%) by arm muscle area and in 84 (95.4 %) by albumin dosage. Dietary intake of energy and protei...

The aim of the study was to characterize the patients with Chronic Kidney Disease submitted to hemodialysis in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, regarding the socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics. It is a cross-sectional study with 90 hemodialysis patients made in July and August 2013, through interviews. The results showed that 77.8% of the patients were male, with average age of 53.52 years and 66.7% were married. The average of schooling was 6.61 years; the Unified Health System assisted 86.7% of the cases. The average time of hemodialysis was 42.99 months. The most frequent etiology of the disease was systemic hypertension, 36.7%. The most used medicine were vitamins and minerals. Most laboratory exams were within the standards of reference. The data of the study can subside discussions among the health professionals involved in order to improve assistance and provide a better quality of life to the patient.

An exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach aim at understanding the significance of the discovery of chronic kidney disease and the need for the hemodialysis machine. The research was made with twenty patients from two hemodialysis services of the city of RS. The data collection took place between September and December of 2007, throughout semi-structured interviews. The thematic analysis generated the following categories: history of chronic kidney disease, from the silence of the disease to the classical clinical symptoms; the discovery and its immediate effects; life after the discovery; acceptance of the dependence on a machine. We conclude that there is a need to adapt the daily life of patients with chronic kidney disease, because the hemodialysis causes physical and social changes, requiring support from health-team to manage the disease. The professional should not abdicate knowledge, safety and technical skill, as requirements to care.

A insuficiência de vitamina D acomete aproximadamente 1 bilhão de pessoas no mundo, tornando-se um problema de saúde pública. Ela causa alterações no crescimento e desenvolvimento ósseo em crianças e osteomalácia e osteoporose em adultos e idosos. A vitamina D permite a mineralização óssea normal e mobiliza cálcio do osso para o sangue. Sua deficiência aumenta o risco de quedas na velhice e, consequentemente, o risco de fraturas e/ ou outros problemas de saúde. Considerando as informações apresentadas, o estudo transversal prospectivo, com amostragem probabilística, teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de hipovitaminose D em idosos institucionalizados em Passo Fundo/RS. Participaram do estudo 77 idosos. Mediram-se os níveis de 25-hidroxivitamina D, relacionando-os com dados socioeconômicos e demográficos, medicamentos e hábitos diários. Os dados foram coletados entre os meses de junho a agosto de 2011. Houve prevalência de hipovitaminose D em 97% da amostra estudada. A deficiência acentuada de vitamina D esteve apenas associada estatisticamente com os níveis de albumina (p = 0,048). Evidenciou-se correlação negativa entre os níveis séricos de 25(OH)D e PTH (rs = -0,240, p = 0,033). Evidencia-se alta prevalência de hipovitaminose D na população idosa institucionalizada. Os profissionais de saúde e cuidadores devem tomar medidas de caráter interdisciplinar que minimizem esse problema de saúde pública. Vitamin D deficiency affects approximately one billion people around the world, making it a public health problem. It causes changes in growth and bone development in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults and elderly. Vitamin D makes possible normal bone mineralization and bone calcium mobilization into the blood. The deficiency of it increases the risk of falls in the elderly and, consequently, the risk of fractures and/or other health problems. Considering the information presented, the prospective cross-sectional study with probability sampling, aimed to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in institutionalized elderly in Passo Fundo/RS. 77 elderly patients participated in the study. The levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured and were associated with the socioeconomic and demographic data, medication and daily habits. The data were collected between June to August 2011. There was a prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among 97% of the sample. A noticeable deficiency of vitamin D was only statistically associated with albumin levels (p = 0.048). It was also evident that there was a negative correlation between the serum levels of 25 (OH) D and the parathyroid hormone PTH (rs = -0.240, p = 0.033). There is a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among institutionalized elderly. Health professionals and caregivers should take interdisciplinary measures that minimize this public health problem. Palavras-chave: