Preliminary Study on Dietary Behavior and Nutrition-related Problems in Patients with Renal Disease

Abstract

This preliminary study aimed to determine dietary behavior and detect nutrition-related problems in patients with renal disease trying to control the disease progression. One hundred and one patients with renal disease (57 women and 44 men) in NakornNayok and Srinakarinwirot University Hospital were recruited. All patients were interviewed face to face by the same nutritionist to answer the questionnaires that include general characteristics, renal disease information and dietary behavior and related problems. The data showed that majority (51%) of these patients were working age (35–65 years). A total of 23% of the patients was overweight (BMI 23.0-24.9 kg/m2) while 48% was obesity (BMI ³ 25.0 kg/m2). The mean (± SD) values of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine from laboratory report of these patients were 29.1 ± 18.8 and 2.1 ± 1.6 mg/dl, respectively. Patients with renal disease had the risk of comorbidities with other chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus equaled to 67.3%, coronary heart disease 24.8%, hypertension 87.1%, dyslipidemia 37.6%, and gout 13.9% by chart review. There were 91% of total patients showing limited knowledge and skill about food and nutrition to apply for meal planning and disease management. The knowledge and understanding deficits of dietary restriction of protein, salt & sodium, fat, phosphorus, potassium, and water and mineral-water were found 78%, 39%, 84%, 93%, 97% and 99% of total patients, respectively. In conclusion, patients with renal disease had lacking knowledge and skill about food and nutrition for controlling the disease.  Therefore, there is a need for the efficient nutrition approaches to patients for good dietary pattern and lifestyle change while improving renal progression.Key words: renal disease, nutrition, dietary behavior, diabetes, knowledge