The Relationship Between Plant-Based Diet Index and Quality of Life, Serum Levels of Pentraxin-3, and Handgrip Strength in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis Publisher



Ghaedi S ; Foshati S ; Babajafari S ; Navab F ; Gholaminejad A ; Mortazavi M ; Rouhani MH
Source: Food Science and Nutrition Published:2026

Abstract

Hemodialysis (HD) patients often suffer from poor quality of life (QoL), malnutrition, and chronic inflammation. This study aimed to examine how plant-based diet index (PDI) affects serum pentraxin-3 (PTX3) levels (an inflammation marker), handgrip strength (HGS), and QoL in these patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 321 HD patients from six medical centers in Isfahan, Iran. PDI was assessed using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire. PTX3 levels were measured through the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HGS was assessed using a dynamometer. QoL was evaluated using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF) questionnaire. Statistical data analysis included binary logistic regression and was adjusted for various confounders. HD Patients in the highest PDI tertile had significantly lower risk of high PTX3 levels (OR: 0.38, CI, 0.16–0.90) as well as lower risk of low HGS (OR: 0.43, CI, 0.19–0.94) compared to the lowest PDI tertile. Males with higher PDI scores also had significantly lower risk of low QoL (OR: 0.42, CI, 0.18–0.98), though no significant association was observed in females. Adherence to a plant-based diet was associated with reduced inflammation, improved physical strength, and better QoL, particularly in male HD patients. A plant-based diet may offer health benefits for HD patients, but further studies are needed to establish causality. © 2026 The Author(s). Food Science & Nutrition published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.