Results of a novel screening tool measuring dietary sodium knowledge in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

BackgroundReducing dietary sodium has potential to benefit patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Little research is available defining dietary sodium knowledge gaps in patients with pre-dialysis CKD. We designed a brief screening tool to rapidly identify patient knowledge gaps related to dietary sodium for patients with CKD not yet on dialysis.MethodsA Short Sodium Knowledge Survey (SSKS) was developed and administered to patients with pre-dialysis CKD. We also asked patients if they received counseling on dietary sodium reduction and about recommended intake limits. We performed logistic regression to examine the association between sodium knowledge and patient characteristics. Characteristics of patients who answered all SSKS questions correctly were compared to those who did not.ResultsOne-hundred fifty-five patients were surveyed. The mean (SD) age was 56.6 (15.1) years, 84 (54%) were men, and 119 (77%) were white. Sixty-seven patients (43.2%) correctly identified their daily intake sodium limit. Fifty-eight (37.4%) were unable to answer all survey questions correctly. In analysis adjusted for age, sex, race, education, health literacy, CKD stage, self-reported hypertension and attendance in a kidney education class, women and patients of non-white race had lower odds of correctly answering survey questions (0.36 [0.16,0.81]; p = 0.01 women versus men and 0.33 [0.14,0.76]; p = 0.01 non-white versus white, respectively).ConclusionsOur survey provides a mechanism to quickly identify dietary sodium knowledge gaps in patients with CKD. Women and patients of non-white race may have knowledge barriers impeding adherence to sodium reduction advice.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12882-015-0027-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Low‐salt diet adherence in African Americans with hypertension

“…These findings are different from several studies which have shown both men and women adhere to a low salt diet (Chung, Moser, Lennie, Worrall-Carter, & Bentley, 2004;Chung et al, 2007). However, our study is similar to other studies that have found women, not men, indicating lower adherence levels (Chung, Park, Frazier, & Lennie, 2016;Nunes, Anderson, Greene, Ikizler, & Cavanaugh, 2015). These differences may be attributed to primary diagnoses, number and types of co-morbidities and medications.…”

Body mass index, body fat percentage, and visceral fat as mediators in the association between health literacy and hypertension among residents living in rural and suburban areas

“…Salt-related knowledge was evaluated using the Short Sodium Knowledge Survey (SSKS) (49) with three questions related to identifying (1) higher salt-containing foods, (2) source of salt in meals, and (3) a way to lower salt intake. All correct responses were assigned a score of one, while wrong responses and non-responses were scored as zero.…”

Nutrition education in the care of patients with chronic kidney disease and end‐stage renal disease

“…66 With regard to counseling on sodium intake, it has been documented that provider counseling can play an important role in motivating patients to try. 67 However, patients also report that implementation of recommendations is difficult, suggesting they may require tailored approaches that are relevant to their day-to-day eating behaviors. 67…”

“…67 However, patients also report that implementation of recommendations is difficult, suggesting they may require tailored approaches that are relevant to their day-to-day eating behaviors. 67…”