Association of the malnutrition-inflammation score with physical function and functional disability in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background and objectives: To describe nutritional status and inflammation of elderly patients with chronic kidney disease and to confirm the association between a Malnutrition-Inflammation Score and physical func-tion and functional disability.

Methods and study design: A total of 221 chronic kidney disease patients (aged ≥60 years) were included. A Malnutrition-Inflammation Score was used to assess malnutrition and inflammation. Physical function was assessed using the SF-12. Functional status was evaluated using basic activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.

Results: Thirty percent of participants had a Malnutrition-Inflammation Score ≥6, which denoted poor nutritional status. Participants with a Malnutrition-Inflammation Score ≥6 had decreased concentration of hemoglobin, albumin, prealbumin, handgrip strength and walking speed and increased concentration of inflammatory markers, including CRP, IL-6 and fibrinogen. Physical function and physical component summary were lower and basic activities of daily living dependence and instrumental activities of daily living dependence were higher among patients with higher Malnutrition-Inflammation Score than those with a lower Malnutrition-Inflammation Score. The Malnutrition-Inflammation Score was an independent risk factor for physical function and instrumental activities of daily living dependence.

Conclusions: The elderly chronic kidney disease patients with a high Malnutrition-Inflammation Score had a decreased physical function and an increased risk of functional instrumental activities of daily living dependence.