Interventions to Counteract Anorexia in Dialysis Patients

The treatment of anorexia in chronic hemodialysis patients is based on a therapeutic strategy which includes optimal dialysis dose (through daily or nocturnal dialysis), support of food intake (through nutritional counseling and oral nutritional supplements), counteractive action to anorexic agents (e.g., inflammatory cytokines and low levels of branched chain amino acids), stimulation of appetite (ghrelin), and attention to associated symptoms (e.g., symptoms of depression and anxiety, fatigue, other comorbidities). However, the fact remains that the studies so far conducted are insufficient both in terms of number and quality to provide guidelines for clinical and research purposes. Randomized, controlled trials are needed in the future to define the best strategy to counteract anorexia in maintenance dialysis patients.