Little is known about the daily dietary intake of trace elements, minerals and vitamins in adult hemodialysis patients (HDP). The available data are relative to populations of small size and to single or to a small group of micronutrients . Aim of the present study is to measure the actual dietary intakes of trace elements, minerals and vitamins in HDP of three centers of one metropolitan and two urban areas of Italy.
The study was performed at the Hemodialysis Units of the Catholic University of Rome, Hospital A.Murri of Jesi and Hospital Principe di Piemonte of Senigallia. Daily dietary intake was assessed through a 3-day diet diary.
We studied 128 HDP. The mean daily intake of trace elements was: zinc 7.6±5.4 mg; copper 14.3±11.8 mg; selenium 28.3±18.1 µg; iron 7.2±4.1 mg (7.8±2.6 mg in women, 6.9±2.4 mg in men). The mean daily intake of minerals was: magnesium, 174.4±94.3 mg; phosphorus, 842.6±576.8 mg; calcium, 371.8±363.7 mg; potassium, 1616.2±897.3 mg; sodium, 1350±1281 mg. The mean daily intake of vitamins was: vitamin A 486.1±544.6 µg; vitamin B1 0.86±0.7 mg; vitamin B2 1.1±0.7 mg; vitamin B3 13.3±8.1 mg; vitamin C 47.8±50.3 mg; vitamin E 9.5±3.6 mg. Distribution of patients according to the daily intake of trace elements and vitamins shows that most were under the recommended values with the exception of copper intake that was much higher..
Many HPD have daily dietary intake of trace elements and vitamins below the recommended values whereas the intake of copper is much higher