The low-protein diet for chronic kidney disease: 8 years of clinical experience in a nephrology ward.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines indicate that a low-protein diet (LPD) delays dialysis in severe chronic kidney disease (CKD). We assessed the value of these guidelines by performing a retrospective analysis in our renal clinical practice. METHODS: The analysis was performed from 1 January 2010 to 31 March 2018 in 299 CKD Stage 4 patients followed for 70 months in collaboration with a skilled nutritionist. The patients included 43 patients on a controlled protein diet (CPD) of 0.8 g/kg/day [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 20-30 mL/min/1.73 m2 body surface (b.s.)], 171 patients on an LPD of 0.6 g/kg/day and 85 patients on an unrestricted protein diet (UPD) who were not followed by our nutritionist (LPD and UPD, eGFR <20 mL/min/1.73 m2 b.s.). RESULTS: eGFR was higher in CPD patients than in UPD and LPD patients (21.9 ± 7.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 versus 17.6 ± 8.00 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 17.1 ± 7.5 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.008). The real daily protein intake was higher in UPD patients than in LPD and CDP patients (0.80 ± 0.1 g/kg/day versus 0.6 ± 0.2 and 0.63 ± 0.2 g/kg/day; P = 0.01). Body mass index (BMI) was stable in the LPD and CPD groups but decreased from 28.5 ± 4.52 to 25.4 ± 3.94 kg/m2 in the UPD group (P < 0.001). The renal survival of UPD, LPD and CPD patients was 47.1, 84.3 and 90.7%, respectively, at 30 months (P < 0.001), 42.4, 72.0 and 79.1%, respectively, at 50 months (P < 0.001) and 42.4, 64.1 and 74.4%, respectively, at 70 months (P < 0.001). The LPD patients started dialysis nearly 24 months later than the UPD patients. Diet was an independent predictor of dialysis [-67% of RR reduction (hazard ratio = 0.33; confidence interval 0.22-0.48)] together with a reduction in BMI. CONCLUSIONS: An LPD recommended by nephrologists in conjunction with skilled dietitians delays dialysis and preserves nutritional status in severe CKD.

[Dialysis and cookers: a project for the empowerment of patients in managing their own chronic renal failure].

The phosphate and potassium control is indispensable to dominate the secondary hyperparathyroidism and reduce cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients. Most of them receive only theoretical nutritional information. We therefore organized a cooking workshop for dialysis patients, with a multidisciplinary team consisting of nurses, nephrologists, a dietitian and a professional chef, to directly teach the patients and their families how to realize a low phosphorus and potassium menu, assessing the proper use of phosphate binders, and blood tests at baseline and at three and six months. Twenty-four patients, out of 133, attended the workshop with a family member, filling out a questionnaire on eating habits, knowledge about phosphorus and potassium, and about binders. Theoretical and practical information about phosphorus and potassium metabolism, about binders, and cooking techniques were given during the evening, we then prepared a meal, eaten all together. The questionnaire was repeated at the end of the evening, and all the participants reported an improvement of the considered variables. Phosphorus and potassium plasma levels and the number of binders did not change after three and six months. Coping with the dietary changes related to the start of the dialytic therapy in an informal atmosphere, with a family member, is highly appreciated, clinically useful, logistically and economically sustainable. A customized and long-lasting counselling is probably required to modify plasma levels of phosphorus and potassium and binder's consumption. The poor dietary knowledge detected in our patients and the satisfaction about the course both confirm the training needs in this area.

[The ambiguous concept of predialysis: proposal for a model]. / L'ambiguita' del concetto di predialisi: proposta di un modello.

In 2009, 90% of nephrology centers in Lombardy declared to have a ''predialysis'' outpatient department, without, however, specifying its meaning. Research carried out in 2008 among nephrology centers in Piemonte showed how ambiguous this term was. According to the 2007 EDTA-ERA Registry, about 68% of European nephrology centers stated that they had an outpatient department for stage 4-5 CKD patients, but no information was available about the role of patients in the choice of dialysis. It is known that when the predialysis phase is poorly managed, the patient's rehabilitation will be more difficult. Dissatisfaction with dialysis often leads to withdrawal from dialysis, as several registries have shown. For this reason, we created a predialysis course at our center, involving a nephrologist, a nurse, and a dietician. The nephrologist helps the patient choose the most suitable therapeutic strategy, which means that doctor and patient share the responsibility for the treatment choice. The offered options are hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, preemptive kidney transplant, and a conservative dietary-pharmacological program. The nurse plans at least 4 meetings: 1) to talk with the patient in order to get to know him or her and his/her family; 2) to provide information about the dialysis procedure and establish the patient's preferences; 3) to clear any doubts about the treatment and deliver a booklet with information about the chosen dialysis procedure; 4) to explain the chosen dialysis procedure; 5) to meet the patient after their preparation for dialysis (vascular access or peritoneal catheter). The dietician manages the dietary programs both for patients who are close to starting dialysis and those on a longlasting conservative program. The predialysis course includes a meeting among all those involved with the patient (nephrologists, nurses, dieticians) to exchange information with the purpose of shared evaluation and decision-making.