Role of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in the development of protein-calorie malnutrition in ESRD.

Chronic activation of the systemic inflammatory response is a common and unifying factor in many end-stage illnesses, particularly end-stage renal disease. Protein-calorie malnutrition and hypoalbuminemia, which are prominent features of end-stage renal disease, develop as a consequence of this syndrome. Recognition of this relationship can assist in the development of new approaches to the successful management of protein-calorie malnutrition developing in the course of end-stage renal disease.