A NEW study has revealed that while food insecurity may not increase overall hospitalisation rates among adults undergoing in-centre haemodialysis, it is significantly associated with a higher risk of hospitalisations due to fluid or electrolyte imbalances, particularly among younger patients.
The study examined 288 patients from 17 dialysis centres across Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. Researchers found that 22% of participants reported food insecurity, and 32% experienced a hospital admission during the six-month follow-up period.
Although food insecurity did not significantly predict all-cause hospitalisation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.06), the study uncovered a three-fold higher risk of hospitalisation for fluid or electrolyte disturbances among food-insecure individuals (aHR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.16–7.96).
Notably, the data suggested that younger adults under age 55 may be more vulnerable to the health consequences of food insecurity, with a trend toward increased hospitalisation risk in this age group compared to those aged 55 and older.
The study also observed that food-insecure participants were more likely to miss dialysis treatments, indicating that inadequate access to food may indirectly affect health outcomes through poor adherence to care.
Lead author Kathryn S Taylor and colleagues emphasise the need for targeted interventions, especially for younger dialysis patients facing food insecurity, to reduce preventable hospitalisations and improve long-term outcomes.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Taylor K et al. Food Insecurity and Risk of Hospitalization among Adults Receiving In-Center Hemodialysis. CJASN. 2025;DOI: :10.2215/CJN.0000000657.
