Comparison of a salt check sheet with 24-h urinary salt excretion measurement in local residents

Abstract

The salt check sheet developed by Tsuchihashi et al. is widely used in general practice to assess salt intake and the associated diets. However, its appropriateness for the general population has not been assessed alongside 24-h urinary salt excretion monitoring. Therefore, in local residents, we analyzed the correlation between check-sheet scores and 24-h urinary salt excretion levels to determine the appropriateness of the check sheet. We asked 176 local residents to complete the salt check sheet and provide urinary samples; the latter were obtained using a proportional sampling method over a 24-h period. One hundred and forty subjects completed the study (men/women: 23/117, mean±s.d. age: 52.7±19.6 years, blood pressure: 122.3±18.0/74.3±11.1 mm Hg), of whom 51 (36.4%) had hypertension. The total salt check-sheet scores were widely distributed (mean±s.d.: 11.1±4.2 points, range: 0-22 points), and the subjects were divided into the following groups on the basis of salt levels: 29.3% were 'low' (0-8 points), 42.8% were 'medium' (9-13 points), 23.6% were 'high' (14-19 points) and 4.3% were 'very high' (>20 points). The mean 24-h urinary salt excretion level was 8.5±3.3 g. The subjects with higher salt-intake levels tended to have increased 24-h urinary salt excretion levels, with significant differences between the three groups ('low' vs. 'medium' vs. 'high to very high' salt levels: 7.6±2.9 g vs. 8.4±2.8 g vs. 9.6±4.2 g, respectively; P=0.03). The total salt check-sheet scores significantly correlated with the 24-h urinary salt excretion levels (r=0.27; P<0.01). Thus, the salt check sheet is applicable for the general population.

A self‐monitoring urinary salt excretion level measurement device for educating young women about salt reduction: A parallel randomized trial involving two groups

“…The resulting scores on salt consumption level are categorized as low (0‐8 points), medium (9‐13 points), high (14‐19 points), or very high (>20 points) . The validity of the values obtained from the salt check sheet was confirmed in studies involving patients with hypertension and those involving local middle‐aged participants …”

“…Finally, they were asked to complete another scheduled urination at 6:00 AM the next day, regardless of the desire to urinate. The total volume collected up to that time was designated as the 24‐hour home urine collection . Urine samples of all participants were collected and analyzed at baseline and endline.…”

“…Urine samples with 24‐hour creatinine levels within 30% of the estimated levels were included in further analyses. Those outside this range were eliminated …”

Usefulness of a salt check sheet for elementary school and junior high school children

“…The salt check sheet is widely used in general practice to assess salt intake of both outpatients with hypertension and the general population . It comprises 13 questions regarding daily salt intake and takes only 3‐5 minutes to complete, which makes it practical to use .…”

“…The salt check sheet is widely used in general practice to assess salt intake of both outpatients with hypertension and the general population . It comprises 13 questions regarding daily salt intake and takes only 3‐5 minutes to complete, which makes it practical to use . The validity of salt check sheet has been confirmed for outpatients with hypertension and the general population; however, its usefulness for assessing dietary salt intake of children is unknown.…”