The role of ultra-processed food consumption in protein-energy wasting and sarcopenia development in patients with chronic kidney diseases

The effect of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been studied in some studies. The present study aimed to investigate the association between UPF consumption and the risk of protein-energy wasting (PEW) and sarcopenia in patients with CKD in the Iranian population.

The current cross-sectional study included 110 patients with CKD referred to two clinics in Shiraz, Iran. The International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM) criteria and the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) guideline were considered for the diagnosis of PEW and sarcopenia, respectively. The valid semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess participants' dietary intake. The logistic regression was used to examine the association of UPFs with PEW and sarcopenia.

We observed no significant association between sarcopenia and PEW with UPFs in the crude model. After adjusting for confounders, we observed a significantly higher odds of sarcopenia in the upper versus lower median of UPF intake (odds ratio (OR) = 3.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–12.62, P = 0.046).

Our findings suggest a positive relationship between UPF intake and sarcopenia among CKD patients. Therefore, reducing the intake of UPFs may decrease the odds of sarcopenia in patients suffering from CKD.