Feasibility and acceptability of telehealth coaching to promote healthy eating in chronic kidney disease: A mixed-methods process evaluation

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a personalised telehealth intervention to support dietary self-management in adults with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD). Design Mixed-methods process evaluation embedded in a randomised controlled trial. Participants People with stage 3-4 CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]15-60 mL/min/1.73 m 2). Setting Participants were recruited from three hospitals in Australia and completed the intervention in ambulatory community settings. Intervention The intervention group received one telephone call per fortnight and 2-8 tailored text messages for 3 months, and then 4-12 tailored text messages for 3 months without telephone calls. The control group received usual care for 3 months then non-tailored education-only text messages for 3 months. Main outcome measures Feasibility (recruitment, non-participation and retention rates, intervention fidelity and participant adherence) and acceptability (questionnaire and semistructured interviews). Statistical analyses performed Descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Results Overall, 80/230 (35%) eligible patients who were approached consented to participate (mean±SD age 61.5±12.6 years). Retention was 93% and 98% in the intervention and control groups, respectively, and 96% of all planned intervention calls were completed. All participants in the intervention arm identified the tailored text messages as useful in supporting dietary self-management. In the control group, 27 (69%) reported the non-tailored text messages were useful in supporting change. Intervention group participants reported that the telehealth programme delivery methods were practical and able to be integrated into their lifestyle. Participants viewed the intervention as an acceptable, personalised alternative to face-face clinic consultations, and were satisfied with the frequency of contact. Conclusions This telehealth-delivered dietary coaching programme is an acceptable intervention which appears feasible for supporting dietary self-management in stage 3-4 CKD. A larger-scale randomised controlled trial is needed to evaluate the efficacy of the coaching programme on clinical and patient-reported outcomes. Trial registration number ACTRN12616001212448; Results

A coaching program to improve dietary intake of patients with CKD: ENTICE-CKD

The dietary self-management of CKD is challenging. Telehealth interventions may provide an effective delivery method to facilitate sustained dietary change.This pilot, randomized, controlled trial evaluated secondary and exploratory outcomes after a dietitian-led telehealth coaching intervention to improve diet quality in people with stage 3-4 CKD. The intervention group received phone calls every 2 weeks for 3 months (with concurrent, tailored text messages for 3 months), followed by 3 months of tailored text messages without telephone coaching, to encourage a diet consistent with CKD guidelines. The control group received usual care for 3 months, followed by nontailored, educational text messages for 3 months.Eighty participants (64% male), aged 62±12 years, were randomized to the intervention or control group. Telehealth coaching was safe, with no adverse events or changes to serum biochemistry at any time point. At 3 months, the telehealth intervention, compared with the control, had no detectable effect on overall diet quality on the Alternative Health Eating Index (3.2 points, 95% confidence interval, -1.3 to 7.7), nor at 6 months (0.5 points, 95% confidence interval, -4.6 to 5.5). There was no change in clinic BP at any time point in any group. There were significant improvements in several exploratory diet and clinical outcomes, including core food group consumption, vegetable servings, fiber intake, and body weight.Telehealth coaching was safe, but appeared to have no effect on the Alternative Healthy Eating Index or clinic BP. There were clinically significant changes in several exploratory diet and clinical outcomes, which require further investigation.Evaluation of Individualized Telehealth Intensive Coaching to Promote Healthy Eating and Lifestyle in CKD (ENTICE-CKD), ACTRN12616001212448

Utilizing Technology for Diet and Exercise Change in Complex Chronic Conditions Across Diverse Environments (U-DECIDE): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome is common across many complex chronic disease groups. Advances in health technology have provided opportunities to support lifestyle interventions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility of a health technology-assisted lifestyle intervention in a patient-led model of care. METHODS: The study is a single-center, 26-week, randomized controlled trial. The setting is specialist kidney and liver disease clinics at a large Australian tertiary hospital. The participants will be adults with a complex chronic condition who are referred for dietetic assessment and display at least one feature of the metabolic syndrome. All participants will receive an individualized assessment and advice on diet quality from a dietitian, a wearable activity monitor, and standard care. Participants randomized to the intervention group will receive access to a suite of health technologies from which to choose, including common base components (text messages) and optional components (online and mobile app–based nutrition information, an online home exercise program, and group-based videoconferencing). Exposure to the optional aspects of the intervention will be patient-led, with participants choosing their preferred level of engagement. The primary outcome will be the feasibility of delivering the program, determined by safety, recruitment rate, retention, exposure uptake, and telehealth adherence. Secondary outcomes will be clinical effectiveness, patient-led goal attainment, treatment fidelity, exposure demand, and participant perceptions. Primary outcome data will be assessed descriptively and secondary outcomes will be assessed using an analysis of covariance. This study will provide evidence on the feasibility of the intervention in a tertiary setting for patients with complex chronic disease exhibiting features of the metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: The study was funded in 2019. Enrollment has commenced and is expected to be completed by June 2022. Data collection and follow up are expected to be completed by December 2022. Results from the analyses based on primary outcomes are expected to be submitted for publication by June 2023. CONCLUSIONS: The study will test the implementation of a health technology–assisted lifestyle intervention in a tertiary outpatient setting for a diverse group of patients with complex chronic conditions. It is novel in that it embeds patient choice into intervention exposure and will inform health service decision-makers in regards to the feasibility of scale and spread of technology-assisted access to care for a broader reach of specialist services. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12620001282976; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378337 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/3755

Practice Patterns Relating to the Use of Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition in Australian Renal Units: Results From a Survey of Renal Dietitians

Objective: The objective of this study is to document the patterns of usage regarding intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) within in-center hemodialysis units in Australia. Design and Methods: This study used purposive non-probabilistic sampling to obtain details of the proportion of units using IDPN; formulations used; infusion rates; and barriers and enablers to usage. All participants were practicing renal dietitians in Australia. The participants were recruited from professional nephrology networks and completed a cross-sectional self-administered online survey. Results: A total of 68 responses were received, representing 41% of dialysis units in Australia. Half did not use IDPN at all, and one-third (38.2%) used it regularly. The most common IDPN formulations used were triple phase bags (48.3%) and lipid-only infusions (22.6%). Variation in practice was seen regarding maximum infusion rates for some formulations. Costs for IDPN were borne by dialysis units (74%) or pharmacy (16%). Barriers to the use of IDPN included bureaucratic hurdles and misconceptions about IDPN as an effective form of nutrition support. The presence of a protocol, support from medical and other staff, and dietitian experience were enablers to the use IDPN. Conclusions: IDPN use in Australia is not uncommon. This survey extends the small evidence base about the practice of IDPN and identified some important variations in practice. Some barriers to IDPN use could be overcome with further training to support staff. Enablers to IDPN use include protocols with defined responsibilities and access to experienced clinicians

Acceptability and adherence of low energy diets for obesity management in chronic kidney disease

Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Low energy diets (LEDs) have not been adequately studied in people with CKD. This study aimed to explore acceptability, adherence, safety and experiences of two LED prescriptions in adults living with obesity and CKD.

Letter to the editor on Potential use of salt substitutes to reduce blood pressure

letter to the edito

Acceptability, Adherence, Safety and Experiences of Low Energy Diets in People With Obesity and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Mixed Methods Study

Objectives: Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Low energy diets (LEDs) have not been adequately studied in people with CKD. This study aimed to explore acceptability, adherence, safety, and experiences of two LED prescriptions in adults living with obesity and CKD. Design and Methods: In a mixed-methods study, obese adults with CKD were prescribed two LEDs (∼800 to 1000 kcal/day each), in a randomised order for 2 weeks each. One diet consisted of four meal replacement products daily (Optifast®, Nestlé Health Science) and the other two pre-prepared frozen meals (Lite n’ Easy®, Mitchell's Quality Foods). Participants received weekly dietitian support, completed daily adherence checklists (converted to % of provided meals/replacements consumed) and participated in post-intervention semi-structured interviews to capture their experience. Results: Nine participants were included (mean age 46.5 ± 14.3 years, estimated glomerular filtration rate 64 ± 26 mL/min/1.73 m2, 4/9 male). Mean self-reported adherence was 88 ± 11% and mean 4-week weight change was −7.3 ± 5.6 kg. Two participants withdrew at week two. Most frequently reported side effects were hunger and headaches. Adverse events of interest included one episode each of hyperkalaemia and hypoglycaemia. No serious adverse events occurred. Four overarching themes of patient experiences were identified: strategies used to adapt, disruption to the norm, individual preferences, and influences on acceptability. Conclusions: LEDs were found to be acceptable and safe with high self-reported adherence rates. Future LED trials should include specialist diabetes management, close monitoring for hyperkalaemia and adequate support to assist with managing side effects and dietary and social adjustments.</p

Interventions for weight loss in people with chronic kidney disease who are overweight or obese

Background: Obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are highly prevalent worldwide and result in substantial health care costs. Obesity is a predictor of incident CKD and progression to kidney failure. Whether weight loss interventions are safe and effective to impact on disease progression and clinical outcomes, such as death remains unclear. Objectives: This review aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intentional weight loss interventions in overweight and obese adults with CKD; including those with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) being treated with dialysis, kidney transplantation, or supportive care. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 14 December 2020 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs of more than four weeks duration, reporting on intentional weight loss interventions, in individuals with any stage of CKD, designed to promote weight loss as one of their primary stated goals, in any health care setting. Data collection and analysis: Two authors independently assessed study eligibility and extracted data. We applied the Cochrane 'Risk of Bias' tool and used the GRADE process to assess the certainty of evidence. We estimated treatment effects using random-effects meta-analysis. Results were expressed as risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes together with 95% confidence intervals (CI) or mean differences (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes or in descriptive format when meta-analysis was not possible. Main results: We included 17 RCTs enrolling 988 overweight or obese adults with CKD. The weight loss interventions and comparators across studies varied. We categorised comparisons into three groups: any weight loss intervention versus usual care or control; any weight loss intervention versus dietary intervention; and surgical intervention versus non-surgical intervention. Methodological quality was varied, with many studies providing insufficient information to accurately judge the risk of bias. Death (any cause), cardiovascular events, successful kidney transplantation, nutritional status, cost effectiveness and economic analysis were not measured in any of the included studies. Across all 17 studies many clinical parameters, patient-centred outcomes, and adverse events were not measured limiting comparisons for these outcomes. In studies comparing any weight loss intervention to usual care or control, weight loss interventions may lead to weight loss or reduction in body weight post intervention (6 studies, 180 participants: MD -3.69 kg, 95% CI -5.82 to -1.57; follow-up: 5 weeks to 12 months, very low-certainty evidence). In very low certainty evidence any weight loss intervention had uncertain effects on body mass index (BMI) (4 studies, 100 participants: MD -2.18 kg/m², 95% CI -4.90 to 0.54), waist circumference (2 studies, 53 participants: MD 0.68 cm, 95% CI -7.6 to 6.24), proteinuria (4 studies, 84 participants: 0.29 g/day, 95% CI -0.76 to 0.18), systolic (4 studies, 139 participants: -3.45 mmHg, 95% CI -9.99 to 3.09) and diastolic blood pressure (4 studies, 139 participants: -2.02 mmHg, 95% CI -3.79 to 0.24). Any weight loss intervention made little or no difference to total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and inflammation, but may lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol. There was little or no difference between any weight loss interventions (lifestyle or pharmacological) compared to dietary-only weight loss interventions for weight loss, BMI, waist circumference, proteinuria, and systolic blood pressure, however diastolic blood pressure was probably reduced. Furthermore, studies comparing the efficacy of different types of dietary interventions failed to find a specific dietary intervention to be superior for weight loss or a reduction in BMI. Surgical interventions probably reduced body weight (1 study, 11 participants: MD -29.50 kg, 95% CI -36.4 to -23.35), BMI (2 studies, 17 participants: MD -10.43 kg/m², 95% CI -13.58 to -7.29), and waist circumference (MD -30.00 cm, 95% CI -39.93 to -20.07) when compared to non-surgical weight loss interventions after 12 months of follow-up. Proteinuria and blood pressure were not reported. All results across all comparators should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of studies, very low quality of evidence and heterogeneity across interventions and comparators. Authors' conclusions: All types of weight loss interventions had uncertain effects on death and cardiovascular events among overweight and obese adults with CKD as no studies reported these outcome measures. Non-surgical weight loss interventions (predominately lifestyle) appear to be an effective treatment to reduce body weight, and LDL cholesterol. Surgical interventions probably reduce body weight, waist circumference, and fat mass. The current evidence is limited by the small number of included studies, as well as the significant heterogeneity and a high risk of bias in most studies.</p

Re-Thinking Hyperkalaemia Management in Chronic Kidney Disease-Beyond Food Tables and Nutrition Myths: An Evidence-Based Practice Review

Potassium dysregulation can be life-threatening. Dietary potassium modification is a management strategy for hyperkalaemia. However, a 2017 review for clinical guidelines found no trials evaluating dietary restriction for managing hyperkalaemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Evidence regarding dietary hyperkalaemia management was reviewed and practice recommendations disseminated. A literature search using terms for potassium, hyperkalaemia, and CKD was undertaken from 2018 to October 2022. Researchers extracted data, discussed findings, and formulated practice recommendations. A consumer resource, a clinician education webinar, and workplace education sessions were developed. Eighteen studies were included. Observational studies found no association between dietary and serum potassium in CKD populations. In two studies, 40–60 mmol increases in dietary/supplemental potassium increased serum potassium by 0.2–0.4 mmol/L. No studies examined lowering dietary potassium as a therapeutic treatment for hyperkalaemia. Healthy dietary patterns were associated with improved outcomes and may predict lower serum potassium, as dietary co-factors may support potassium shifts intracellularly, and increase excretion through the bowel. The resource recommended limiting potassium additives, large servings of meat and milk, and including high-fibre foods: wholegrains, fruits, and vegetables. In seven months, the resource received > 3300 views and the webinar > 290 views. This review highlights the need for prompt review of consumer resources, hospital diets, and health professionals’ knowledge.</p