Relationship between total ghrelin and nutritional parameters in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Ghrelin is regarded to be correlated to nutrition status. To verify this relationship, 30 patients on hemodialysis(HD), 18 patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD) and 18 healthy volunteers(Control) were involved in this observational study. Total plasma ghrelin(ELISA) and nutritional parameters (including biochemical index, body composition, and nutrition risk screening score 2002, NRS2002) were measured. Data were showed by Mean±SD, probability values <0.05 were considered significant. Statistical analysis was determined using SPSS 15.0. Ghrelin levels was significantly increased in HD patients (4.55±2.34ng/ml (pre-HD), p<0.0001) than in CKD(2.32±1.32ng/ml) and Control (1.99±0.83ng/ml),and declined after HD(2.27±1.12ng/ml, p