Water Drinking Practices in ADPKD Patients: A Questionnaire Based Study.

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Internal Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients with normal renal function may benefit from increased water intake to lower vasopressin levels and urine osmolality.
• Adequate hydration is a potential strategy to manage ADPKD progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the extent of dietary recommendations given to ADPKD patients regarding water intake and consumption of coffee/tea.
• To evaluate patient adherence to nephrologists' advice on hydration and dietary restrictions.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving ADPKD patients across chronic kidney disease stages 1-5.
• A questionnaire was used to gather data on dietary recommendations received and patient adherence.
• Key recommendations assessed included consuming at least 3000 mL of water daily and avoiding coffee and tea.

Main Results:

• Nearly half (48.2%) of the 294 patients studied did not receive any dietary recommendations.
• Only 20.3% of patients reported consuming more than 3.0 liters of water daily.
• A significant portion (32.3%) continued to consume coffee and tea despite advice, often due to habit.

Conclusions:

• A substantial gap exists in communicating proper dietary advice to ADPKD patients.
• Patient adherence to hydration and dietary recommendations is suboptimal, influenced by factors like habit and access to water.
• Improved patient education and addressing barriers to adherence are crucial for managing ADPKD.