High-sodium diets are linked to both high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Minority patients, in particular, will struggle with CKD as they do not always have access to healthy food and are not provided the information on how to maintain a diet low in sodium.*

Anitha Philip, APRN, FNP-C, of Rush University, Chicago, and her colleagues did 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. Learn more about what they did, what they found, and what it means.

What they did

Eighteen minority patients were recruited from a renal clinic, where the majority did experience food insecurity. Sixty-seven percent of the participants were African-American, and 27% were Hispanic. Participants were educated in two main areas:

• Understanding CKD
• Preserving kidney function through a low-sodium diet

After the educational class, participants completed a 10-item CKD knowledge questionnaire. Moreover, blood pressure readings were taken pre-and post-intervention and analyzed. 

What they found

Researchers found a statistically significant increase in knowledge after participants were educated. However, there was not a statistically significant improvement in blood pressure readings. 

What it means

Since blood pressure readings did not improve, participants’ diet habits likely did not change, which could be related to the majority experiencing food insecurity. 

Researchers concluded, “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.”

*Socha, V. (2021, July 2). Achieving Blood Pressure Targets in Patients with CKD. Docwire News. https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/achieving-blood-pressure-targets-in-patients-with-ckd/