The protein catabolic rate (PCR) for patients on hemodialysis (expressed as gram/kg/day) is used to assess dietary protein intake in steady state (non-malnourished) patients. There has been much debate about the reliability of this measure; however, when repeatedly measured overtime, its reliability seems to improve for a given patient.

The PCR can be calculated from:

A=hours since last hemodialysis

B=BUN rise in mg/dL since last hemodialysis.

The formula is:

PCR = 0.22+((0.036*B*24)/A)

References

Chen YC, et al. Postdialysis Serum Albumin Is More Rational than Predialysi Value. Nephron. 1999;82(3):284-5.

Daugirdas JT. The post: pre-dialysis plasma urea ratio to estimate kt/v and NPCR: Mathematical modeling. Int J Artif Organs. 1989;12:411-9.

Giordano M, et al. Increased Albumin and Fibrinogen Synthesis in Hemodialysis with Normal Nutritional Status. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2001;12:349-54.