Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 40362747 DOI: 10.3390/nu17091438
Protein Counting as an Educational Strategy to Optimize Low-Protein-Diet Adherence and Satisfaction in Stage 4 and 5 Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Pilot Study.
Nutrients 17(9)
Authors: Francesca K Martino, Lucia F Stefanelli, Alessandra Zattarin, Larissa Lovato Correa Dias, Greta Redi, Rime Khalf, Dorella Del Prete, Federico Nalesso
Affiliations
- Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, 35128 Padua, Italy.
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Clinical Nutrition, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Educational support is a well-established strategy in diet management for chronic diseases. No study has reported the impact of protein counting in a low-protein diet for chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to assess how a protein-counting educational program could enhance adherence and satisfaction in managing a low-protein diet in CKD patients with an eGFR below 20 mL/min/1.73 m 2.
METHODS
We conducted a prospective pilot study comparing adherence and satisfaction before and after an educational program, which included four group meetings and two individual meetings over six months. Diet adherence was assessed by estimating protein intake using 24 h urine urea excretion, while diet satisfaction was evaluated with the MDRD questionnaire.
RESULTS
Twenty-four patients with a mean age of 63.9 years experienced improved diet adherence, with a significant reduction in protein intake (from 59.82 ± 15.57 g/day to 47.18 ± 13.7 g/day, p < 0.001) and a significant increase in overall diet satisfaction (from a median of 3.57 (3.1-4) to 4 (3.6-4.1), p = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
An educational program that includes protein counting assists CKD stage 4-5 patients in improving their diet adherence and increasing overall dietary satisfaction.
MeSH
Kidney Diseases, Pilot Projects, Pilots, Diet, Protein-Restricted, Kidney, Diet, Food