Improving Nutrition in Inner-City Patients on Dialysis by Food Security Program at a Single In-Center Dialysis Unit

Background: Nutritional deficiencies are common in dialysis patients. The food insecurity places the patients at the inner city centers further at risk. Dialysis fascilities report the nutrition statistics in the form of comprehensive analysis, including lab reports e.g. albumin and hemoglobin. In this study we evaluate the impact of nutrition program by providing weekly meal bags to dialysis patients at a single dialysis center at Capital Health in Trenton, NJ. Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted. Data of 78 dialysis patients enrolled in the nutrition program during June 2023- May 2024 was reviewed. Patients were interviewed to assure utilization of resources. Data including albumin, hemoglobin, iron panel and electrolytes before and after the provision of meal bags was collected. The impact was accessed by comparing results. Results: A statistically significant increase in albumin (p = 0.01) was noticed. Hemoglobin levels also improved (mean difference ≈ +0.36 g/dL, p = 0.0126). We found significant changes in iron panel including transferrin saturation and ferritin ( p < 0.05). Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and bicarbonate did not show statistically significant change, however, trends were largely stable or slightly improved. Conclusion: The implementation of nutrition program for dialysis patients resulted in notable clinical improvements across several key parameters. These results suggest that tailored nutritional support can positively impact the overall health and ensure biochemical stability of dialysis patients. Continued use and evaluation of this intervention could further enhance patient outcomes and quality of life. - Parameter Before (Mean) After (Mean) p- value Albumin(g/dl) 4.05 4.19 0.01 Hemoglobin(g/dl) 10.38 10.71 0.0126 Iron(ug/dl) 75.2 66.3 <0.05 Ferritin(ng/dl) 648.3 592.1 <0.05 Transferrin Sat.(%) 32.6 30.2 <0.05 TIBC(ug) 252.5 234.9 <0.05 Potassium(mmol/L) 4.65 4.76 0.403 Sodium(mmol/L) 137.18 137.53 0.535 Bicarbonate(mmol/L) 24.45 23.29 0.099 Calcium(mg/dL) 8.94 9.1 0.628 Phosphorous(mg/dL) 5.75 5.49 0.419