The effect of nutrition education to the biochemical parameters in hemodialysis patients

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of nutrition education on the biochemical parameters in hemodialysis patients. The study has taken place at "Özel Güneydoğu Diyaliz Merkezi" (Private Southeastern Dialysis Center) and has been attended by 35 patients over 18 years old, without communication difficulties, receiving at least one year of hemodialysis therapy. The investigation was completed with 33 patients (16 female, 17 male). In order to determine the biochemical findings, anthropometric measurements and nutrition status of patients before and after the education; the food consumption data for 24 hours in 3 consecutive days: on the day of the dialysis therapy, on the day without therapy and on a weekend day; were recorded and compared. It has been observed that potassium, sodium, creatine, Kt/V, phosphorus, calcium and glucose levels were decreased; whereas albumine, total protein, hemoglobin and hemotocrit levels were increased. The changes were statistically not significant except for calcium and hemotocrit (p>0.05). Upon comparison of anthropometric measurements of patients before and after education; the values of dry weight, BMI and UAC were found to be decreased (p>0.05). Considering the energy and nutrient intake of patients, energy and protein intakes were increased after the education (p>0.05). An increase was observed at the intakes of vitamin E, cholesterol, thiamin and B6; whereas the intakes of folate, vitamin C, B12, riboflavine and vitamin A were decreased (p>0.05). After education the intake of phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc and magnesium were decreased. The changes in the intake levels of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The improvement in the nutritional knowledge of patients after education is significant (p<0.05). Medical nutrition therapy education is very important in hemodialysis. The close cooperation with a multidisciplinary approach of patient, patient relatives, dietitian, nurse, dialysis technician and dialysis M.D. is at utmost importance. Keywords: Nutritional education, hemodialysis, nutritional status, biochemical findings