Assessment of the Knowledge of Phosphorus and Potassium in Hemodialysis Patients
Abby Branchini Chacón1, Bruna Bellincanta Nicoletto
1Knowledge Area of Life Sciences, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Insights
Hemodialysis patients have moderate knowledge of potassium and phosphorus, with better understanding of potassium. Higher phosphorus knowledge correlated with serum levels, while both correlated with education and younger age.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Patient Education
Background:
- Maintaining proper mineral balance, specifically potassium and phosphorus, is crucial for patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD).
- Dietary adherence and patient understanding of these minerals are key factors in managing serum levels and overall health outcomes in HD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge of potassium and phosphorus levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
- To investigate the association between this knowledge and serum mineral levels, as well as other clinical variables.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 73 hemodialysis patients (duration ≥ 3 months) was conducted.
- Knowledge was assessed using a 16-question multiple-choice questionnaire focusing on general, phosphorus, and potassium information.
- Statistical analysis correlated knowledge scores with serum levels, age, and education.
Main Results:
- Patients demonstrated intermediate knowledge of both minerals, with significantly higher scores for potassium (6.75 ± 1.65) than phosphorus (4.64 ± 2.10).
- A positive correlation was observed between phosphorus knowledge and serum phosphorus levels (r = 0.305; P = 0.009).
- Knowledge scores positively correlated with education level (r = 0.390; P = 0.001) and negatively with age (r = -0.372; P = 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Hemodialysis patients possess moderate knowledge of potassium and phosphorus, excelling in potassium-related understanding.
- Phosphorus knowledge is linked to serum levels, unlike potassium knowledge.
- Educational attainment and younger age are associated with better mineral knowledge in this patient group.
Abstract:
We aimed to determine the knowledge of potassium and phosphorus in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and to associate it with serum levels and other clinical variables. This cross-sectional study included 73 patients of both sexes, who were over 18 years old and had undergone HD for at least 3 months at Hospital Geral de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, Brazil, between January and April 2019. Knowledge of phosphorus and potassium was measured by a questionnaire composed of 16 multiple choice questions (two general, seven about phosphorus, and seven about potassium) applied by the interviewer. For each mineral, a maximum of nine points could be scored. The mean ± standard deviation of correct answers was 9.78 ± 2.99 points for all questions, being higher for potassium (6.75 ± 1.65 points) than phosphorus (4.64 ± 2.10 points; P <0.001). A positive correlation was found between specific knowledge of phosphorus and its serum levels (r = 0.305; P = 0.009), but not for potassium (r = 0.101; P = 0.395). The number of correct answers positively correlated with the level of education (r = 0.390; P = 0.001) and negatively with age (r = -0.372; P = 0.001). The HD patients had intermediate levels of knowledge of phosphorus and potassium, with greater knowledge of potassium. Patients with higher serum phosphorus levels demonstrated greater knowledge about it, whereas this pattern was not observed for potassium levels. Knowledge of phosphorus and potassium was associated with younger patients and a higher level of education.
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