Survey on the Perception of Health Professionals on the Use of Intradialytic Oral Nutrition in Patients under Hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Intradialytic oral nutrition (ION) has been shown to improve many clinical outcomes, including lowering mortality, in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Despite the benefits, ION is underused in many countries. Objective: The objective of our study was to determine the perception of health-care professionals (HCP) in our environment of the use of ION in patients undergoing HD. Methods: Survey applied to HCP in Mexico who worked or had worked in an HD unit in their locality. Results: From 272 HCP who answered the survey, 74.3% believed that the use of ION has at least one beneficial effect; of these, the most frequently mentioned were an improvement in quality of life (QoL) (54.7%) followed by an improvement in serum albumin (37.9%) and muscle anabolism (31.6%). However, 49% consider that its use involves some risks. Of the respondents, 22% reported that their HD units allowed patients to consume food or supplements during HD sessions; the main reason given to forbid the introduction of food or supplements was the clinic's policy (41%). Conclusions: The personnel surveyed heterogeneous opinions regarding ION, but most believe that it may improve the QoL or the nutritional status of the patients. Nevertheless, the use of ION is uncommon in our country as it is against the internal regulations of most HD units.