Introduction The incidence and prevalence of end-stage kidney disease has reached epidemic proportions in Brazil and worldwide, leading to high mortality. In these patients, nutritional status is associated with poorer quality of life (QoL) and health and few studies have been conducted on the subject in Brazil.

Objective Investigate the association between psychological and nutritional parameters in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. This is a retrospective study of 45 patients attended at the Dialysis Unit of the Clinical Hospital of Botucatu Medical School (UNESP): 58% women, mean age of 53.5 years-old, on dialysis for at least 6 months, 69% using Automatic Peritoneal Dialysis and 63% non-diabetic. For cognitive evaluation, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used and for QoL evaluation, the SF-36; for nutritional assessment, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, dietary recall and bioelectrical impedance analysis were performed.

Results Using Pearson's correlation, significant positive correlations were verified between the MMSE score and caloric and protein intake and percentage of intracellular water, and negative correlations for creatinine clearance and age; serum albumin correlated positively with the following QoL domains: physical functioning, general health, vitality, mental health and physical, social and emotional aspects; inflammatory status, measured by PCR, was negatively correlated with physical aspects and general health. In multivariate analysis, the phase angle was positively correlated with functional capacity, pain, emotional aspects and mental health.

Conclusion The association between nutritional and psychological aspects reaffirms the importance of nutritional and psychological care and the need for multidisciplinary care in this population.