Dialysis Patients Struggle to Restrict Dietary Phosphorus

[okarol]

Jill Stein
May 21, 2013
Dialysis Patients Struggle to Restrict Dietary Phosphorus

ISTANBUL—Despite increased awareness of the phosphorus content of food, many patients on dialysis do a poor job of restricting dietary phosphorus intake, according to the results of a survey described at the 50th Congress of the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association.

Elizabeth Lindley, PhD, at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Leeds, UK, and co-workers analyzed responses to online questionnaires that examined dietary trends among dialysis patients and the problems associated with phosphorus control. Forty-eight dietitians, 35 nurses, and one physician responded to the questionnaires, representing clinics with more than 15,000 dialysis patients.  Respondents were from the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the U.K.

Hyperphosphatemia, a common disorder in dialysis patients, is an established risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, said Dr. Lindley, a clinical scientist in renal care. Achieving recommended levels of protein intake while maintaining guideline-recommended levels of serum phosphorus is associated with better outcomes in dialysis patients.

Hyperphosphatemia management typically consists of a combination of dietary modification and phosphate binder therapy, she added.

The increasing popularity of processed convenience food has significantly increased the amount of phosphorus consumed by the general population, with implications for the management of hyperphosphatemia.

Results showed that since entering practice a mean of 15 years ago, 47 (56%) respondents had observed an increase in fast food consumption, and 40 (48%) respondents had noticed an increase in consumption of foods rich in phosphorus-containing additives/preservatives.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients were reported as being most likely to have difficulty restricting phosphorus. Thirty two (40%) respondents reported that most of their HD patients found it difficult to follow advice on phosphorus restriction. When asked about the relative importance of restricting phosphorus and maintaining protein intake in HD, 42 (50%) considered them equally important and 30 (36%) favored maintaining protein intake.

http://www.renalandurologynews.com/dialysis-patients-struggle-to-restrict-dietary-phosphorus/article/294177/

[Deanne]

Definitely true in my case. I used to cook for myself regularly, but as my energy level decreased and my pickiness level increased, I started cooking less and eat a lot of take-out or pre-prepared foods now. It got so that I'd fix a casserole and by the time it was ready, I'd lost interest in it, and i had a messy kitchen with no energy left to clean it. I tried freezing stuff with intent to eat it later, but once I lost interest in it, I couldn't talk myself into eating it. I eat a lot of fruit and try to aim for low potassium fruits, and I stopped drinking milk and limit dairy in general, but I know a lot of the stuff I eat has phosphorus additives I should avoid, no to mention the high sodium level. I'm hoping one of the prepared dinner companies will clue in to how many kidney patients there are out here and develop a line for us.