Prevalence and relevance of cachexia as diagnosed by two different definitions in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A retrospective and exploratory study

Objective Cachexia is present in various chronic diseases and is associated with decreased quality of life and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. However, evidence regarding the association of cachexia with prognosis in patients undergoing hemodialysis is limited. We assessed cachexia using two definitions and compared prevalence, functional impairment, and prognostic impact in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods We enrolled outpatients undergoing hemodialysis at two centers retrospectively. We assessed cachexia using the conventional cachexia (Evans’ criteria) and the Asian Working Group for Cachexia (AWGC) criteria. The study examined all-cause mortality and functional status (Clinical Frailty Scale and short physical performance battery). We used Cox proportional hazards model to examine the association with prognosis, and logistic regression analysis to examine the association with functional impairment. Results Among 367 patients (mean age, 67 years; 63% male), cachexia prevalence, as defined by Evans’ criteria and AWGC, was 21.3% and 35.2%, respectively. Cachexia as defined by Evans’ criteria was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.81, 1.02–3.23). Also, cachexia as defined by AWGC criteria showed suggestive association with increasing mortality (HR, 95% CI: 1.56, 0.90–2.70). Similar results were seen between cachexia and functional impairment. Conclusions Among patients on hemodialysis, cachexia was highly prevalent and was associated with poor prognosis and functional impairment. Detecting cachexia in earlier stages may be useful for risk stratification in this population.