Questionnaire to Evaluate and Elucidate Patients' Perceptions of Renal Dietary Advice

Abstract

This study aims to explore the knowledge and beliefs of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients about the role of diet in their disease presentation and management. Focus Groups (FG) with nephrology and dialysis patients informed the development of a questionnaire. A sixty percent response rate was achieved (115/190) with 100 complete questionnaires available for analysis. 80 respondents said they would like to receive dietary advice as soon as they know they have renal damage. In most cases this would have been months or years sooner than they were referred to a dietitian. Group work and 'expert patient' assistance offer the means of delivering this service in a patient-centred way. It is also essential that doctors have access to accurate dietary advice so they can support patients appropriately to change their dietary behaviour.

A qualitative analysis of eating behaviour change for patients with diabetes and non‐dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease stages 4–5

“…Sutton et al . () found that people strongly valued assurance by their dietitian that current eating behaviours were not causing further health damage.…”

Phosphate Control: Who, How and When? A Comment

“…The results of the Focus Groups and the Questionnaire (Sutton et al 2008) reveal some facts that affirm and validate current practice, and others that demand serious thought as to how best to develop and integrate renal dietary advice.…”

“…A recent study carried out on the Wessex Renal and Transplant Unit, UK was designed to explore how patients perceive the timing of such advice, particularly dietary advice, from whom and how it is presented (Sutton et al 2008).…”

“…Those on dialysis and those who had access to the Low Clearance Clinic had all seen a renal dietitian. Their responses were unanimous in stating that they had found the advice and support useful and that furthermore they considered a renal dietitian as the most reliable and trustworthy source of information (Sutton et al 2008). Another point that emerged with similar clarity was that almost all patients said that they would like the opportunity to discuss diet as soon as they knew they had kidney impairment.…”

Practical Management of Diet and Lifestyle Interventions for People With Diabetes or Cardiovascular Disease

“…It has generally been accepted that much CKD is the result of hereditary or congenital disease, obstructive conditions and primary HT In such cases, diet was not considered to have a role in either contributing to or controlling progression of CKD. However, a study which asked patients when they would like to receive renal‐related dietary advice showed that almost all patients would like the opportunity to discuss diet as soon as they knew they had kidney impairment (Sutton 2008). The current view tends to be that at such an early stage, no renal‐specific dietary changes will be needed.…”