Influence of megestrol acetate on nutrition and inflammation in dialysis patients - preliminary results

Malnutrition is a common clinical problem in dialysis patients. So far the management of malnutrition in this population has not been fully successful. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of use of megestrol acetate suspension in malnourished dialysis patients. Twenty-six hypoalbuminemic (albumin ≤ 3.8 g/dl) dialysis patients took 160 mg of megestrol acetate daily for a period of two months. Anthropometry (dry weight, body mass index) and biochemical measurements of nutrition (serum albumin, triglycerides, total cholesterol) and inflammation (hsCRP, IL-1β, IL-6) were performed on a monthly basis. The treatment led to a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in anthropometry and albumin concentration, with no statistically significant changes in total cholesterol, triglycerides and indices of inflammation. Side effects included overhydration, diarrhoea and hyperglycaemia. Thus, megestrol acetate may be an effective therapeutic agent in improving the nutritional status of carefully selected dialysis patients, while it might not mitigate inflammation. Because of the prevalent side effects it must be monitored closely.