The impact of low-protein diet on residual renal function in dialysis patients: a systematic review and metaanalysis

Abstract Objective A low-protein diet is essential for the nutritional management of chronic kidney diseases as it can reduce renal burden. However, the effect of low-protein diets on dialysis patients compared to pre-dialysis patients remains unclear. This study aims to compare residual renal funct...

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Main Authors: Jingyi Xie, Xiaoqin Liu, Yue Ling, Shuwang Ge, Ying Yao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Nephrology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-025-04042-1
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author Jingyi Xie
Xiaoqin Liu
Yue Ling
Shuwang Ge
Ying Yao
author_facet Jingyi Xie
Xiaoqin Liu
Yue Ling
Shuwang Ge
Ying Yao
author_sort Jingyi Xie
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective A low-protein diet is essential for the nutritional management of chronic kidney diseases as it can reduce renal burden. However, the effect of low-protein diets on dialysis patients compared to pre-dialysis patients remains unclear. This study aims to compare residual renal function among dialysis patients following a low-protein diet versus a normal diet, offering valuable insights into the optimal nutritional strategy for preserving residual renal function. Methods This meta-analysis has been registered on PROSPERO, an international registry of prospective systematic reviews. We conducted a comprehensive and systematic literature search using PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science (WOS). Our search strategy was designed to discover all relevant studies investigating the influence of low-protein diets on residual renal function among dialysis patients. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity was discussed through subgroup analysis of dialysis method, the addition of ketoacid and other relevant factors. Results We included four prospective studies of low-protein diets among dialysis patients, each of which included at least 40 participants. Individuals receiving a 12-months low-protein diet had a higher GFR (MD = 1.37 ml/min; 95% CI:0.18 to 2.55), while daily urine volume decreasing more slowly (MD = 660 ml; 95% CI: 110 to 1210). In addition, dialysis patients undergoing a low-protein diet for 4 or 12 months had reduced serum phosphorus (MD=-0.74 g/dl; 95% CI: -1.04 to -0.45). Their serum albumin was higher than dialysis patients received a free-choice diet (MD = 4.00 g/dl; 95% CI: 2.46 to 5.54). Conclusion Dialysis patients who adhere to a long-term low-protein diet may have a positive effect on residual kidney function. In addition, dialysis patients receiving a low-protein diet increased serum albumin, reduced serum phosphorus levels, and maintained a better nutritional status and electrolyte balance.
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spelling doaj-art-ff3f27277bae42a7a46c142f71669f902025-08-20T03:05:52ZengBMCBMC Nephrology1471-23692025-03-012611910.1186/s12882-025-04042-1The impact of low-protein diet on residual renal function in dialysis patients: a systematic review and metaanalysisJingyi Xie0Xiaoqin Liu1Yue Ling2Shuwang Ge3Ying Yao4Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDivision of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDivision of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDivision of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDivision of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Objective A low-protein diet is essential for the nutritional management of chronic kidney diseases as it can reduce renal burden. However, the effect of low-protein diets on dialysis patients compared to pre-dialysis patients remains unclear. This study aims to compare residual renal function among dialysis patients following a low-protein diet versus a normal diet, offering valuable insights into the optimal nutritional strategy for preserving residual renal function. Methods This meta-analysis has been registered on PROSPERO, an international registry of prospective systematic reviews. We conducted a comprehensive and systematic literature search using PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science (WOS). Our search strategy was designed to discover all relevant studies investigating the influence of low-protein diets on residual renal function among dialysis patients. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity was discussed through subgroup analysis of dialysis method, the addition of ketoacid and other relevant factors. Results We included four prospective studies of low-protein diets among dialysis patients, each of which included at least 40 participants. Individuals receiving a 12-months low-protein diet had a higher GFR (MD = 1.37 ml/min; 95% CI:0.18 to 2.55), while daily urine volume decreasing more slowly (MD = 660 ml; 95% CI: 110 to 1210). In addition, dialysis patients undergoing a low-protein diet for 4 or 12 months had reduced serum phosphorus (MD=-0.74 g/dl; 95% CI: -1.04 to -0.45). Their serum albumin was higher than dialysis patients received a free-choice diet (MD = 4.00 g/dl; 95% CI: 2.46 to 5.54). Conclusion Dialysis patients who adhere to a long-term low-protein diet may have a positive effect on residual kidney function. In addition, dialysis patients receiving a low-protein diet increased serum albumin, reduced serum phosphorus levels, and maintained a better nutritional status and electrolyte balance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-025-04042-1Low-protein dietRenal functionHemodialysisPeritoneal dialysisNutrition
spellingShingle Jingyi Xie
Xiaoqin Liu
Yue Ling
Shuwang Ge
Ying Yao
The impact of low-protein diet on residual renal function in dialysis patients: a systematic review and metaanalysis
BMC Nephrology
Low-protein diet
Renal function
Hemodialysis
Peritoneal dialysis
Nutrition
title The impact of low-protein diet on residual renal function in dialysis patients: a systematic review and metaanalysis
title_full The impact of low-protein diet on residual renal function in dialysis patients: a systematic review and metaanalysis
title_fullStr The impact of low-protein diet on residual renal function in dialysis patients: a systematic review and metaanalysis
title_full_unstemmed The impact of low-protein diet on residual renal function in dialysis patients: a systematic review and metaanalysis
title_short The impact of low-protein diet on residual renal function in dialysis patients: a systematic review and metaanalysis
title_sort impact of low protein diet on residual renal function in dialysis patients a systematic review and metaanalysis
topic Low-protein diet
Renal function
Hemodialysis
Peritoneal dialysis
Nutrition
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-025-04042-1
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