Higher Frequency of Fruit Intake Is Associated With a Lower Risk of Constipation in Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVES: Constipation is a multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder commonly found in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In this multicenter cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with constipation, including the frequency of dietary fiber intake. METHODS: HD patients from 4 dialysis clinics were invited. Participants answered a questionnaire which included Roma IV criteria to assess constipation status, use of medications, and lifestyle habits. A food frequency questionnaire with 7 response options on the main dietary fiber sources (fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and seeds) was also applied. Answers were transformed into a score to estimate the weekly intake frequency, and every score point corresponded to one time per week. Demographical and laboratory data were obtained from medical records. Univariate analysis was used to compare participants according to constipation status, and variables with P < .20 were included in the regression analysis model. RESULTS: Three hundred five HD patients were included (male: 51%; age: 52.2 ± 14.7 years old; HD vintage: 46 (19-82) months). Ninety-three participants had constipation (30.5%). Median (interquartile) food frequency questionnaire scores were as follows: fruits: 6 (2-14); vegetables: 6 (3-10); legumes: 3 (1-7); whole grain: 0 (0-1); and seeds: 0 (0-0). In univariate analysis, participants with constipation were significantly older, had lower literacy, higher prevalence of diabetes, and lower total beverage intake. The logistic regression analysis model also included body mass index, wheelchair need, sedentarism, fruits score, and seeds score (all with P < .20 in the univariate analysis). The independent predictors of constipation were diabetes (odds ratio = 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.07-3.6, P = .03) and fruits intake score (odds ratio = 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.91-0.99, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Almost one-third of the participants had constipation. The independent determinants of constipation were diabetes and lower frequency of fruit intake. Nutritional counseling to increase fiber intake can potentially decrease the prevalence of constipation in this population.

Fluid overload is associated with use of a higher number of antihypertensive drugs in hemodialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is multifactorial, highly prevalent in the hemodialysis (HD) population and its adequate control requires, in addition to adequate volume management, often the use of multiple antihypertensive drugs. We aimed to describe the use of antihypertensive agents in a group of HD patients and to evaluate the factors associated with the use of multiple classes (≥3) of antihypertensives. METHODS: We analyzed the baseline data from the HDFit study. Clinically stable patients with HD vintage between 3 and 24 months without any severe mobility limitation were recruited from sites throughout southern Brazil. Fluid status was measured pre-dialysis with the Body Composition Monitor (BCM; Fresenius, Germany). Fluid overload (FO) was considered when the overhydration index (OH) was greater than 7% of extracellular water (OH/ECW > 7%) and overweight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2 . Prescriptions of antihypertensive drugs were obtained from participants' reports and medical records. Logistic regression was employed to determine factors associated with excessive use of antihypertensive medication (≥3 classes). FINDINGS: Of 195 studied patients, 171 with complete data were included (70% male, 53 ± 15 years old, 57% of them with FO). Pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 150 ± 24 mmHg and patients used a median of 2 (1-3) antihypertensive drugs. Vasodilators (20%) were of lowest prevalence, use of other classes varied from 40% to 53%. Sixty-two (36%) subjects used ≥3 classes and presented a higher prevalence of diabetes and FO, lower prevalence of overweight, and higher SBP. In a logistic regression model age, BMI <25 kg/m2 , and OH/ECW > 7% were associated with excessive drug use. DISCUSSION: More than one-third of participants used ≥3 classes of antihypertensive drugs, and it was associated with older age, BMI <25 kg/m2 and FO. Strategies that better manage FO may aid better blood pressure control and avoid the use of multiple antihypertensive medications.

Perceptions of hemodialysis patients about dietary and fluid restrictions.

INTRODUCTION: Dietary regimen for hemodialysis (HD) patients is complicate and identifying characteristics and reasons of those most likely to experience difficulty in adhering to dietary restrictions is important. OBJECTIVE: To quantify HD patient's perceptions about dietary and fluid restrictions, acknowledge individual reasons that facilitate or complicate their adherence, and also their relationship with demographic, nutritional and clinical characteristics. METHODS: Multi-center cross-sectional study in five dialysis facilities. HD patients (n = 147; 48% male; age: 51,3 ± 13,6 years) were encouraged to score on a scale of 0 to 10 their perception of the degree of difficulty to adhere the nutritional advice regarding control of sodium, fluid, potassium and phosphorus intake. RESULTS: Sodium score was 4(1-7), fluids 6(3-8), potassium 4(2-6) and phosphate 6(3-8). Percentage of patients who perceived a greater difficulty (score ≥ 6) to control fluids and phosphate intake was higher than for sodium and potassium. Participants with excessive % interdialytic weight gain (%IDWG) had a higher score for fluids; the ones with hypercalemia perceived more difficulty to control potassium intake than others as well as hyperphosphatemic patients compared to normophosphatemic to control phosphorus intake. Participants with a greater difficulty to control sodium intake also perceived a greater difficulty to control fluids, potassium and phosphate intake. CONCLUSION: Participants perceived a greater difficulty to control fluid and phosphate intake rather than sodium and potassium, higher perceptions scores were associated with subgroups and with worse control of clinical parameters. Moreover, patients with a greater difficulty to control some dietary item also found harder to control the other ones.

Perceptions of hemodialysis patients about dietary and fluid restrictions / Percepções de pacientes em hemodiálise sobre as restrições alimentares

Abstract Introduction: Dietary regimen for hemodialysis (HD) patients is complicate and identifying characteristics and reasons of those most likely to experience difficulty in adhering to dietary restrictions is important. Objective: To quantify HD patient's perceptions about dietary and fluid restrictions, acknowledge individual reasons that facilitate or complicate their adherence, and also their relationship with demographic, nutritional and clinical characteristics. Methods: Multi-center cross-sectional study in five dialysis facilities. HD patients (n = 147; 48% male; age: 51,3 ± 13,6 years) were encouraged to score on a scale of 0 to 10 their perception of the degree of difficulty to adhere the nutritional advice regarding control of sodium, fluid, potassium and phosphorus intake. Results: Sodium score was 4(1-7), fluids 6(3-8), potassium 4(2-6) and phosphate 6(3-8). Percentage of patients who perceived a greater difficulty (score ≥ 6) to control fluids and phosphate intake was higher than for sodium and potassium. Participants with excessive % interdialytic weight gain (%IDWG) had a higher score for fluids; the ones with hypercalemia perceived more difficulty to control potassium intake than others as well as hyperphosphatemic patients compared to normophosphatemic to control phosphorus intake. Participants with a greater difficulty to control sodium intake also perceived a greater difficulty to control fluids, potassium and phosphate intake. Conclusion: Participants perceived a greater difficulty to control fluid and phosphate intake rather than sodium and potassium, higher perceptions scores were associated with subgroups and with worse control of clinical parameters. Moreover, patients with a greater difficulty to control some dietary item also found harder to control the other ones.

Resumo Introdução: as recomendações dietéticas para pacientes em hemodiálise (HD) são complexas e identificar as características e as razões das pessoas com maior dificuldade em aderir às restrições de alimentos e bebidas pode ser fundamental. Objetivos: quantificar as percepções dos pacientes em HD sobre as restrições alimentares e de líquidos, reconhecer as razões individuais que facilitam ou complicam sua adesão, bem como sua relação com as características demográficas, nutricionais e clínicas. Métodos: estudo transversal multicêntrico realizado em cinco unidades de diálise. Os pacientes em HD (n = 147, 48% do sexo masculino, idade: 51,3 ± 13,6 anos) foram encorajados a pontuar em uma escala de 0 a 10 a sua percepção do grau de dificuldade de aderir ao aconselhamento nutricional para o controle de sódio, líquidos, potássio e fósforo. Resultados: o escore de sódio foi 4 (1-7); de líquidos 6 (3-8); de potássio 4 (2-6); e de fosfato 6 (3-8). O precentual de pacientes que percebiam uma maior dificuldade (escore ≥ 6) no controle de líquidos e de fosfato foi maior do que para o sódio e o potássio. Os participantes com elevado ganho de peso interdialitico (%GPID) referiram maior pontuação para líquidos; os com hipercalemia perceberam mais dificuldade para controlar a ingestão de potássio que os demais, bem como os pacientes hiperfosfatêmicos em comparação com os normofosfatêmicos para controlar a ingestão de fósforo. Os participantes com maior dificuldade para controlar a ingestão de sódio também perceberam uma maior dificuldade para controlar o consumo dos demais itens investigados. Conclusão: os participantes perceberam maior dificuldade no controle da ingestão de líquidos e de fontes de fosfato do que de sódio e potássio. Maiores escores de percepção foram associados a alguns subgrupos e a pior controle dos parâmetros clínicos. Além disso, os pacientes com maior dificuldade para controlar algum item dietético também referiram ser mais difícil de controlar os outros itens investigados.

Adherence and knowledge about hyperphosphatemia treatment in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia.

INTRODUCTION: Adequate dietary phosphorus intake and the use of phosphorus binders are the main tools for treating hyperphosphatemia. Thus, its success depends essentially on the patient's ability to understand and adhere to the dietary plan and the use of phosphate binders. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hyperphosphatemic patients adherence and knowledge about phosphate control treatment. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. One hundred and twelve patients on hemodialysis (60 males; age = 49.3 ± 13.3 years), from five dialysis centers with mean serum phosphorus > 5.5 mg/dL between July and December of 2008 (mean = 6.57 ± 0.73 mg/dL) were included. A questionnaire with questions about the consequences of hyperphosphataemia, foods high in phosphorus, appropriate use of phosphate binders and patient's opinion about reasons for treatment failure was administered. Laboratory parameters assessed were serum urea, calcium, phosphorus and parathormony (PTH), and dialysis adequacy by means of urea Kt/V. RESULTS: The average score of questionnaire was 78.5%. Regarding the reasons for the failure of the treatment of hyperphosphataemia, 87% indicated the response "because I eat more phosphorus than I should" and / or "because I do not take the phosphate binder as I should". Among those who said they did not use phosphate binder correctly, most (62%) justified to forget as the reason. The serum phosphorus correlated directly with serum urea (R = 0.33, p < 0.01) and inversely with Kt/V (R = -0.20, p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the phosphorus, the education level and the scores on questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Patients showed a good level of knowledge about the hyperphosphatemia treatment, but the vast majority were noncompliant to that. Strategies to improve compliance are necessary to decrease the incidence of hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients.

Adesão e conhecimento sobre o tratamento da hiperfosfatemia de pacientes hiperfosfatêmicos em hemodiálise / Adherence and knowledge about hyperphosphatemia treatment in hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia

INTRODUÇÃO: A orientação dietética e o uso adequado de quelantes de fósforo são a base do tratamento da hiperfosfatemia. Assim, seu sucesso depende essencialmente da habilidade do paciente em entender e aderir ao plano dietético e ao uso dos quelantes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a adesão e o conhecimento de pacientes hiperfosfatêmicos em hemodiálise sobre o tratamento da hiperfosfatemia. METODOLOGIA: Estudo transversal. Foram incluídos 112 pacientes em hemodiálise (60 homens; idade = 49,3 ± 13,3 anos), de cinco unidades de diálise, que apresentaram média de fósforo sérico > 5,5 mg/dL entre julho e dezembro de 2008 (média = 6,57 ± 0,73 mg/dL). Foi aplicado um questionário que incluía questões fechadas sobre consequências da hiperfosfatemia, alimentos ricos em fósforo, uso adequado dos quelantes e opinião do paciente sobre os motivos do insucesso do tratamento. Os parâmetros laboratoriais avaliados foram: fósforo, cálcio, paratormônio e ureia séricos, e a eficiência da diálise por meio do Kt/V. RESULTADOS : A média de acertos das questões do questionário foi de 78,5 por cento. Com relação às razões do insucesso do tratamento da hiperfosfatemia, 87 por cento dos pacientes assinalaram a resposta "porque eu como mais fósforo do que eu deveria" e/ ou "porque eu não tomo o quelante de fósforo como eu deveria". Entre os que afirmaram não utilizar o quelante corretamente, a maioria (62 por cento) justificou o esquecimento como motivo. O fósforo sérico correlacionou-se diretamente com a ureia sérica (R = 0,33; p < 0,01) e inversamente com o Kt/V (R = -0,20; p < 0,05). Não houve correlação entre a fosfatemia, o nível de escolaridade e a pontuação no questionário. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes estudados apresentaram um bom nível de conhecimento sobre o tratamento da hiperfosfatemia, mas a maioria afirmou não ser aderente ao mesmo. Estratégias para melhorar a adesão ao tratamento são necessárias para diminuir a ocorrência da hiperfosfatemia nessa população.

INTRODUCTION: Adequate dietary phosphorus intake and the use of phosphorus binders are the main tools for treating hyperphosphatemia. Thus, its success depends essentially on the patient's ability to understand and adhere to the dietary plan and the use of phosphate binders. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hyperphosphatemic patients adherence and knowledge about phosphate control treatment. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. One hundred and twelve patients on hemodialysis (60 males; age = 49.3 ± 13.3 years), from five dialysis centers with mean serum phosphorus > 5.5 mg/dL between July and December of 2008 (mean = 6.57 ± 0.73 mg/dL) were included. A questionnaire with questions about the consequences of hyperphosphataemia, foods high in phosphorus, appropriate use of phosphate binders and patient's opinion about reasons for treatment failure was administered. Laboratory parameters assessed were serum urea, calcium, phosphorus and parathormony (PTH), and dialysis adequacy by means of urea Kt/V. RESULTS: The average score of questionnaire was 78.5 percent. Regarding the reasons for the failure of the treatment of hyperphosphataemia, 87 percent indicated the response "because I eat more phosphorus than I should" and / or "because I do not take the phosphate binder as I should". Among those who said they did not use phosphate binder correctly, most (62 percent) justified to forget as the reason. The serum phosphorus correlated directly with serum urea (R = 0.33, p < 0.01) and inversely with Kt/V (R = -0.20, p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the phosphorus, the education level and the scores on questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Patients showed a good level of knowledge about the hyperphosphatemia treatment, but the vast majority were noncompliant to that. Strategies to improve compliance are necessary to decrease the incidence of hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients.