The Effect of Nutrition Education Program on Biochemical Parameters Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Nutrition is considered an important part of treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, poor nutrition leads to decreased life quality and increased complications of hemodialysis as well as mortality in these patients. This study aimed at investigating the effect of nutrition education program (NEP) on biochemical parameters among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 30 patients who referred to hemodialysis unit at Ayatollah Taleghani hospital in Urmia province, Iran. The sampling method was purposive. Data were collected through interviews and data collection instruments consisted of demographic questionnaires and checklist. In the pre-education stage, the demographic questionnaire was completed and a 2month average of biochemical parameters (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphor, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine) were measured and recorded in the checklist by the researcher. Then, the patients received four 30minute educational sessions on nutrition using learning assistant tools. Two months after the education program, the laboratory results were measured and recorded again by the researcher. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 14 and paired t test, and significance level was set at 0.05 (P < 0.5). Results: The findings revealed a significant decrease in sodium, potassium, calcium, blood urea nitrogen (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the laboratory results of phosphor and creatinine (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The implementation of nutrition education program (NEP) for patients under hemodialysis can improve biochemical parameters as well as complications resulting from their imbalance. Therefore, this program is recommended for this group of