Abstract:Objective To explore the relationship between serum sodium level and malnutrition in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Methods Ninety-four patients with the end-stage renal diseases requiring maintenance hemodialysis between April 2015 and August 2015 were selected. Triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm circumference (MAC), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and hand grip strength (HGS) were measuered using standard techniques. And modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA) was used to evaluate their nutritional status. The dry weight (DW), inter-dialysis weight growth (IDWG), blood pressure data and laboratory indexes were also measured. According to serum sodium level, the patients were divided into two groups: low-sodium group (Na < 137 mmol/L) and control group (Na ≥ 137 mmol/L). The above indexes of the two groups were compared. Results The patients in the low-sodium group had significantly lower MAMC, HGS and albumin levels, but significantly higher MQSGA and IDWG% (P < 0.05); while there was no statistically significant difference in TSF, MAC, DW, BP, ALB, HB, TF, TC, TG, K+, Ca2+ or CRP (P > 0.05). Pre-dialysis serum Na+ correlated positively with MAMC (r = 0.266, P = 0.009), HGS (r = 0.401, P = 0.001) and albumin level (r = 0.309, P = 0.002), and negatively with MQSGA (r = -0.46, P = 0.001). Pre-dialysis serum Na+ was uncorrelated with CRP or IDWG%.Conclusions This study demonstrates that low serum sodium is associated with protein energy wasting and increased inter-dialysis weight gain in maintenance hemodialysis patients.