The reviewers reported that they found 34 studies (n= 3,223 participants), but 35 studies were included in the tables. Studies included 17 of oral nutritional supplements (n=778, range eight to 117) and 17 of intradialytic parenteral nutrition (n=2,475, range four to 1,679). Study designs included seven RCTs, six non-RCTs and what the authors reported as five studies where the patients controlled for themselves.
Oral nutritional supplements: Based on the oral nutritional supplement studies, which included four RCTs, the review reported that oral nutritional supplements may have improved serum albumin levels and/or other nutritional parameters in patients with haemodialysis. There were not enough data to determine effects on clinical outcome.
Intradialytic parenteral nutrition: Based on the intradialytic parenteral nutrition studies, which included one RCT, the review reported that most studies showed intradialytic parenteral nutrition to be associated with an increase in body weight and/or improvements in other nutritional parameters. Three of four studies of intradialytic parenteral nutrition that reported survival indicated that intradialytic parenteral nutrition increased survival.
Brief summaries of the results of each study were reported.