Diabetic Patients With Gastroparesis and Chronic Kidney Disease -- Management of Malnutrition: An Expert Interview With William F. Finn, MD
Editor's Note:
Diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at an increased risk for developing nutritional deficiencies. This is the case not only because of the CKD itself but also because of the high incidence of gastric motility disorders found in many patients, particularly in those with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.[1] As kidney disease progresses, patients often notice a decrease in appetite, predisposing them to the development of both caloric and protein malnutrition. The decrease in protein intake may result in a fall in the serum albumin concentration and limit the rise in the serum phosphate concentration that would otherwise occur with CKD. This creates somewhat of a dilemma in the ability to define and maintain adequate protein intake while at the same time attempting to normalize phosphorus levels by restricting phosphorus intake. Anne G. Le, PharmD, RPh, Editorial Director of Medscape Nephrology, interviewed William F. Finn, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine; Attending Physician, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, about the issues surrounding diabetic patients with gastroparesis and CKD.

William Finn, MD
Copyright © 2006 Medscape

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