Effects of Intradialytic Nutrition on Dialysis Adequacy and Fatigue

Chronic kidney disease is a major global health problem, and maintenance hemodialysis remains the most common renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Although hemodialysis prolongs survival, many patients experience treatment-related complications, including intradialytic hypotension, fatigue, and protein-energy wasting, all of which negatively affect quality of life and clinical outcomes.

Adequate nutritional intake is essential for preventing malnutrition in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Because many patients have poor appetite before or after dialysis sessions, intradialytic nutrition has been proposed as an opportunity to improve energy and protein intake. However, the safety and clinical effects of eating during hemodialysis remain controversial. Some studies suggest that food intake during dialysis may reduce dialysis efficiency or contribute to intradialytic hypotension through postprandial hemodynamic changes, whereas other studies have reported no clinically meaningful adverse effects. Consequently, current international recommendations advocate an individualized approach rather than routine intradialytic feeding.

Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms experienced by patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Although nutritional status has been associated with fatigue, limited evidence is available regarding the direct effect of intradialytic nutrition on fatigue severity. Furthermore, few randomized crossover studies have simultaneously evaluated dialysis adequacy, hemodynamic responses, and patient-reported fatigue outcomes.

This study was designed to provide clinical evidence regarding the effects of standardized intradialytic nutrition on dialysis adequacy, intradialytic hemodynamic stability, and fatigue in adults receiving maintenance hemodialysis. A randomized, two-period, two-sequence crossover design was selected to allow each participant to serve as his or her own control, thereby reducing interindividual variability. The findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based recommendations regarding individualized nutritional practices during hemodialysis and to support clinical decision-making for patients at risk of malnutrition while maintaining treatment safety.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Receiving maintenance hemodialysis three times per week for at least 3 months.
• Clinically stable.
• Able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Active infection.
• Hospitalization within the previous month.
• Gastrointestinal disorders affecting oral intake.
• Severe intradialytic hypotension requiring frequent intervention (MAP <65 mmHg).
• Cognitive impairment.
• Pregnancy.
• Scheduled kidney transplantation with an available donor during the study period.