Knowledge, attitudes, and practice toward sarcopenia among maintenance dialysis patients in Anhui, China

To explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) toward sarcopenia among maintenance dialysis (MHD) patients in Anhui.

This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2022 among MHD patients in the Anhui Province, China. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect their demographic characteristics and KAP toward sarcopenia.

A total of 1548 questionnaires were collected, with 909 (58.72%) being valid. The average knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 4.45 ± 4.21 (possible range: 0-12), 28.21 ± 3.71 (possible range: 8-40), and 18.04 ± 4.28 (possible range: 7-35) points, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression showed that 5.1-10 years of dialysis (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: [0.15, 0.97]) and attitude scores (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: [1.25, 1.48]) were independently associated with practice. The structural equation model showed that knowledge had a direct effect on attitudes (β = 0.38, 95% CI: [0.33, 0.44]) and practice (β = 0.18, 95% CI: [0.11, 0.24]) and had an indirect effect on practice though attitudes (β = 0.42, 95% CI: [0.35, 0.50]).

The MHD patients in Anhui showed insufficient knowledge and moderate attitudes and practices toward sarcopenia. Proactive practice might be facilitated and achieved by improving knowledge and attitudes.