Nutritional Assessment of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease at Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo State

Malnutrition is a common and serious complication in patients with chronic kidney disease, contributing to increased morbidity, hospitalisation rates, and mortality. This study performs a nutritional assessment of adult patients with chronic kidney disease attending the nephrology unit of Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo State, South East Nigeria. The disease imposes complex nutritional demands including protein restriction, fluid management, and careful regulation of potassium, phosphorus, and sodium intake, which are difficult to achieve without dietetic support. A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 adults aged 18 years and above diagnosed with stage 3 to 5 chronic kidney disease. Nutritional status was assessed using the Subjective Global Assessment tool alongside anthropometric measurements including body mass index, mid-arm muscle circumference, and skinfold thickness. Dietary intake was evaluated using a modified 24-hour recall with nutrient analysis for protein, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium. Biochemical data including serum albumin, creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were extracted from clinical records. Findings are expected to reveal a high burden of protein-energy malnutrition, low compliance with renal dietary restrictions, and inadequate dietetic counselling. These findings will support the case for systematic nutrition screening and dietetic services within renal care programmes in South East Nigeria. Keywords: chronic kidney disease, nutritional assessment, renal diet, Owerri, malnutrition.