Mirey Karavetian
Zayed University, UAE
Title: Effect of behavioral stage-Based nutrition education on management of osteodystrophy among hemodialysis patients, Lebanon
Biography
Biography: Mirey Karavetian
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of intensive nutrition education by trained dedicated dietitians on osteodystrophy management among hemodialysis patients. This was done through a randomized controlled trial in 12 hospital-based hemodialysis units equally distributed over clusters 1 and 2. Cluster 1 patients were either assigned to usual care (n=96) or to individualized intensive staged-based nutrition education by a dedicated renal dietitian (n=88). Cluster 2 patients (n=210) received nutrition education from general hospital dietitians, educating their patients at their spare time from hospital duties. Main outcomes were: 1) dietary knowledge (%), 2) behavioral change, 3) serum phosphorus (mmol/L), each measured at T0 (baseline), T1 (post 6 month intervention) and T2 (post 6 month follow up). Analysis of results showed significant improvement only among patients receiving intensive education from a dedicated dietitian at T1; the change regressed at T2 without statistical significance: knowledge (T0: 40.3; T1: 64; T2: 63) and serum phosphorus (T0: 1.79; T1: 1.65; T2: 1.70); behavioral stages changed significantly throughout the study (T0: Preparation, T1: Action, T2: Preparation). In conclusion, the intensive protocol showed to be the most effective. Thus, integrating dedicated dietitians and stage-based education in hemodialysis units may improve the nutritional management of patients in Lebanon and countries with similar health care systems.