Achieving Blood Pressure Targets in Patients with CKD

ANNA 2021 National Symposium

Patients at risk for progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) need to adhere to a low sodium diet and strict blood pressure control. Minority patients often lack complete information on maintaining a diet low in sodium and access to healthy food. Anitha Philip, APRN, FNP-C, of Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, and colleagues conducted a study to examine the effect of an educational intervention to increase patient knowledge of a low sodium diet and achieve target blood pressure control, defined as <140/90 mmHg, in a cohort of patients with CKD. The intervention was called Eat Well and Protect Your Kidneys.

Results of the intervention were reported during a virtual poster session at the ANNA 2021 National Symposium. The poster was titled The Effect of Educational Intervention (Eat Well and Protect Your Kidneys) to Improve Blood Pressure Control among Minority Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

The study to evaluate the intervention used a one-group pretest/post-test design. Patients were recruited from a renal clinic serving large minority communities. The intervention class curriculum included two main areas: understanding of CKD and preserving kidney function through adherence to a low sodium diet.

The two-item Food Insecurity Questionnaire was used to assess all patients for food insecurity. Patient knowledge of CKD was assessed with the 10-item Chronic Kidney Disease Knowledge Questionnaire. Blood pressure was calculated pre-intervention using two pre-intervention readings (3 months prior to baseline and the day of the intervention).

Eighteen patients participated in the intervention. Sixty-seven percent were African American and 27% were Hispanic. Sixteen of the 18 patients had a history of hypertension and screened positive for food insecurity. Following the intervention, paired t-tests revealed a statistically significant increase in knowledge (P<.00). Differences between pre- and post-intervention blood pressure readings were not statistically significant.

In conclusion, the authors said, “The educational intervention was effective in improving patient knowledge. However, it is essential to address food insecurity issues to improve adherence to a low sodium diet and achieve target blood pressure among minority CKD patients.”

Source: Philip A, Mayahara M, Hart P. The effect of educational intervention (Eat Well and Protect Your Kidneys) to improve blood pressure control among minority patients with chronic kidney disease. Abstract of a poster presented at the virtual 2021 American Nephrology Nurses Association National Symposium, May 2-5, 2021.