Effect of a Salt Reduction Campaign in a Community Clinic: A Retrospective Study

Excessive sodium chloride (salt) intake is a risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, such as hypertension, and initiatives to reduce salt intake are essential. This study assessed whether a salt reduction campaign reduced salt intake in outpatients attending a community clinic.

Of 2,429 outpatients whose baseline estimated salt intake was measured using spot urine during the campaign conducted from February 1 to June 30, 2018, 655 outpatients (42.4% female, mean age of 61.6 ± 13.1 years) with a baseline salt intake of ≥10 g/day and ≥2 salt intake measurements within six months of the campaign were included. During the campaign, healthcare providers displayed information on low-salt foods and a poster depicting the association between excess salt intake and hypertension, and encouraged outpatients to measure their salt intake. The primary outcome was the change in salt intake.

Salt intake decreased from 11.6 ± 1.69 to 9.4 ± 2.44 g/day (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) decreased from 27.4 ± 5.0 to 27.2 ± 5.0 kg/m² (p < 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased from 132.3 ± 13.0 to 131.1 ± 13.5 mmHg (p = 0.028) in this population. Correlation analysis of the factors associated with changes in salt intake identified changes in BMI (r = 0.192, p < 0.001) and SBP (r = 0.176, p < 0.001). Estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased slightly; however, no clinically significant renal events were identified.

This simple campaign represents a practical strategy to reduce salt intake in routine clinical practice.