The effect of dietary regimen education on the laboratory variables and interdialytic weight gain in hemodialytic patients

Nutrition is an important factor in patients with chronic kidney disease. An inadequate nutritional regimen decreases the life quality and leads to high mortality and morbidilty in these patients. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the effect of dietary regimen education on the laboratory variables and interdialytic weight gain in hemodialytic patients.

This quasi-experimental study was carried out on a group of 32 hemodialytic patients (pretest-posttest) in the educational hospitals of Iran and Tehran medical science universities in 2003-2004. The patients were assessed by a questionnaire about their educational needs before starting dialysis. The laboratory variables were analyzed by two-month average before the education and interdialytic weight gain was measured at four stages with a time interval of two weeks. Then, an educational program on the basis of Orem theory, existing problems, characteristics of the patients and the required education was presented in four sessions, (each sessions lasted 20 minutes). At the end of the educational period, the laboratory variables (average two months) and interdialytic weight gain were studied at four stages with a time interval of two weeks (third and fifth weeks). Data was analyzed, using t test.

The findings showed that there were significant decreases in serum levels of urea (p<0.001), uric acid (p<0.01), phosphorous (p<0.01) and K (p<0.005). Interdialytic weight gain, between two sessions of hemodialysis, was also decreased (p<0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in serum levels of Na, Ca, Cr and albumin.

Performing of the educational program for nutrition may have positive influence on decreasing the problems of hemodialytic patients.