[Prospective studies of diet compliance in the chronic hemodialysis program]

For 25 patients with terminal renal insufficiency predictions were made on their later dietic compliance under dialysis conditions and documented, before they were admitted to the chronic dialysis programme. These predictions were based exclusively on observation of the patients' behaviour during consultations with kidney specialists and during periods of hospitalization. In 18 cases the dietic compliance observed during the first two years of dialysis matched the prediction. It is thus also possible for a nephrologist to recognize early those patients who are likely to violate the fluid restrictions frequently during subsequent dialysis treatment. As long as those personality features and reaction types which cause non-compliance are known, normal consultation and hospital contact suffice.