Elderly patients on hemodialysis have worse dietary quality and higher consumption of ultraprocessed food than elderly without chronic kidney disease

Abstract Objectives The multiple dietary restrictions recommended to patients on hemodialysis (HD), coupled with conditions imposed by aging, may lead to poor dietary quality in these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary quality and consumption of ultraprocessed food by elderly patients on HD and those without chronic kidney disease (CKD). Additionally, diets on the day of dialysis and on nondialysis days were evaluated. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 153 noninstitutionalized elderly patients on HD (Elder-HD) and 47 non-CKD elderly (Elder-Healthy) aged ≥60 y. From a 3-d food record, the dietary quality was assessed using the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index Revised (BHEI-R) and the energy contribution of food-processing groups. Results Compared with the Elder-Healthy group, the Elder-HD group showed a lower total BHEI-R score ( P P P P P P Conclusion The Elder-HD group showed poorer dietary quality and higher consumption of processed and ultraprocessed foods than the Elder-Healthy group. Moreover, when compared with the nondialysis day, these patients exhibited worse dietary quality, on the day of dialysis.