Study on the relationship between sarcopenia and its components and anorexia in elderly maintenance haemodialysis patients.

The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show that sarcopenia causes anorexia or that exercise prevents it. Convenience sampling at three Chinese dialysis centres may limit generalisability to other settings or populations. Patients who could not walk, had cognitive or communication problems, or declined were excluded, so the findings may not apply to more disabled or confused dialysis patients. Exercise frequency and primary disease were self-reported, so memory bias or errors could have affected the results. Bioelectrical impedance can be affected by oedema, although measurements were completed after dialysis. The FAACT/ACS anorexia cut-off and assessment method need further research. The adjusted odds ratios and the text describing direction are not straightforward to interpret, so independent associations should be read cautiously.

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Do not conclude that exercise or treating sarcopenia prevents anorexia. This was a cross-sectional survey, so it can show associations but not cause, and the paper states causal relationships could not be determined.