The evaluation of body composition in chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis is of paramount importance for an adequate clinical and nutritional intervention, so that it can contribute to reduce the high morbidity and mortality observed in this population. However, factors related to the disease process, such as abnormalities in the hydration status and presence of renal osteodystrophy, may affect the validity of body composition evaluation techniques in patients with chronic renal failure. Although there are a number of studies concerning body composition analysis methods, the majority presents limitations for utilization in clinical practice of the hemodialysis population. This paper aims to review the methods of body composition analysis that are easily applicable in the clinical routine of hemodialysis patients, such as the sum of skinfold thicknesses, bioelectrical impedance analysis and near-infrared interactance.
body composition; hemodialysis; skinfold thicknesses; bioelectrical impedance analysis; near-infrared interactance