NUTRITIONAL COMPLIANCE HEMODIALYSIS SUCCESS
The United States Renal Data System (USRDS)(2001) reports that End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), known as chronic kidney failure is a major health problem affecting 300,000 Americans, a number that increases around 7 percent per year. Costs estimated by the Centers for Disease Control, in 1994, were estimated to be $11 billion in the US. ESRD can be treated by hemodialysis. The success or failure of hemodialysis for treatment of kidney failure is dependent on factors, which include patient compliance. Nutritional compliance has been shown to affect hemodialysis outcomes and support is considered to be a mediating factor in nutritional compliance. Studies have shown that vitamins and minerals are important for hemodialysis patients, glycemic control is a predictor of survival for diabetic hemodialysis patients, and protein-energy malnutrition is found in hemodialysis maintenance patients. Studies regarding nutritional compliance are limited (Elfert & drees, 1999; Kopple, 1999; Oka, Chaboyer, & Molzahn, 1999; Morioka, Emoto, Tabata, & Shoji, 2001). Oka et al. reported that although their study did support this relationship, methodological flaws may have limited results and more studies are needed to examine the roles of nutritional compliance and support, in the success of hemodialysis for kidney failure.
Several factors have been noted to affect the success or failure of hemodialysis. Lack of patient compliance regarding diet has been shown to result in negative consequences, however studies are limited. It is not only important to understand how this factor affects hemodialysis, but it is necessary to understand that different stages of change can result in lack of compliance. Support from family and nurses, has been shown to be a mediating variable. Findings will assist nurse practitioners and other health professionals in the care of this patient population by providing info...