Assessment of Nutritional Practice in Italian Chronic Kidney Disease Clinics: A Questionnaire-Based Survey

Bellizzi, Vincenzo; Di Iorio, Biagio R.; Brunori, Giuliano; De Nicola, Luca; Minutolo, Roberto; Conte, Giuseppe; Cianciaruso, Bruno; Scalfi, Luca

doi:10.1053/j.jrn.2009.05.001

« Previous Next »Journal of Renal Nutrition
Volume 20, Issue 2 , Pages 82-90, March 2010

Assessment of Nutritional Practice in Italian Chronic Kidney Disease Clinics: A Questionnaire-Based Survey

Vincenzo Bellizzi, MD, PhD
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, A. Landolfi Hospital, Solofra, Italy
- Address reprint requests to Vincenzo Bellizzi, MD, PhD, Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, A. Landolfi Hospital, Via Melito 5, 83029 Solofra, Italy.
Biagio R. Di Iorio, MD
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, A. Landolfi Hospital, Solofra, Italy
Giuliano Brunori, MD
- Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
Luca De Nicola, MD, PhD
- Department of Nephrology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
Roberto Minutolo, MD, PhD
- Department of Nephrology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
Giuseppe Conte, MD
- Department of Nephrology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
Bruno Cianciaruso, MD
- Department of Nephrology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Luca Scalfi, MD
- Department of Food Science, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

published online 21 July 2009.

Background

The prevention of malnutrition in patients with progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents a challenge to nephrologists. We evaluated nutritional practice and routines, at a national level, related to the nutritional management of nondialyzed CKD patients.

Methods

A questionnaire-based survey (32 open and 9 multiple-choice questions) was used to assess the evaluation of nutritional status in nondialyzed CKD outpatients at baseline and during follow-up. Data were obtained for 230 Italian public nephrology centers (63% of the total number of Italian public nephrology centers).

Results

There was a dedicated dietitian at only 19% of the centers. At baseline, body weight, body mass index, and serum albumin were determined in almost all centers, nutrient intakes and bioimpedance analysis in half the centers, and subjective global assessment and skinfold thickness in a small proportion of centers. During follow-up, the rate of assessments decreased by 8% for weight, 14% for nutrient intake, and 29% for subjective global assessment and skinfold thickness. Overall, the K/DOQI minimum criteria for nutritional assessment were fulfilled in only two thirds and half of the clinics at baseline and during follow-up, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the number of nutritional variables evaluated was significantly related to the size of the CKD clinic and the presence of a dietitian at baseline, but only with the presence of dietitian during follow-up. Daily urinary output was collected at 90% of the centers, but urea and sodium excretions were determined in only 59% and 57% of cases, respectively. The rate of assessment for urinary solutes during follow-up was higher at centers where a very low protein diet was prescribed.

Conclusions

The indications about nutritional assessment for CKD patients are poorly translated into practice patterns, especially with respect to the evaluation of nutrient intakes and additional but simple variables such as skinfold-thickness measurement and bioimpedance analysis. The presence of a dedicated dietitian appears to improve the quality of nutritional assessment in CKD.