Does a Comprehensive Counselling Program Change Dietary Adherence among Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients?

Pages: 298-303
Bhavana Shailendranath, Prashant G. Kedlaya, and Renuka Sathish (Department of Nephrology, St. John’s Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka)

Nutritional health of an individual is identified by their wellness guide and eating pattern. An evaluation of knowledge regarding renal dietary regimen and adequacy of ‘energy and protein’ in the diet among hemodialysis (HD) patients was conducted. Dietary intake, knowledge level to comprehend eating pattern and subjective global assessment (SGA) rating was used to determine nutritional status. A three monthly follow up for a year was performed on 90 patients who were either on twice or thrice weekly HD regimen. Knowledge on renal dietary and fluid regimen improved from 8% at pre-test to 59% at post-test which showed concurrence to adherence. Consumption of energy and protein enriched foods supported our patients to achieve a well-nourished nutritional status (81%) assessed through SGA scoring. To improve the nutrition status and awareness on renal dietary regimen among maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) population there is a need for a planned patient associated education intervention.