Adequate daily energy intake and the intake of individual macro and micronutrients, especially protein, potassium, phosphorus and sodium, are important for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. We observe that patients do not eat properly for fear of complications from chronic kidney disease. The aim of the master's thesis was to find out what effects adherence to the Mediterranean diet has on serum levels of potassium and phosphorus in peritoneal dialysis patients. We analyzed the data obtained during the intervention study, which took place at the Peritoneal Dialysis Center at the Clinical Department of Nephrology of the University Clinical Center Ljubljana. The research was conducted in two phases, before and after the intervention. The intervention lasted 4 weeks. 21 peritoneal dialysis patients participated in the research and were randomly divided into an intervention and a control group. Patients in the intervention group received modified individualized menus adapted to the guidelines of the Mediterranean diet suitable for peritoneal dialysis patients. The diet of the patients in the control group was not changed. In both patient groups and in both phases of the research, we performed a nutritional interview and a nutritional analysis, we measured the body composition of the patients and performed a biochemical blood analysis, the patients also performed a hand grip strength test, a sit-to-stand test and completed the Medas questionnaire. In the nutritional analysis, we found that the patients' daily energy and protein intake were generally too low, as was the daily intake of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. The patients followed very well the guidelines of the Mediterranean diet. After the intervention with the Mediterranean diet, the average score of the Medas questionnaire was statistically significantly higher in the intervention group of patients (p = 0.007). Serum levels of potassium and of inorganic phosphate were not statistically different from the baseline after the Mediterranean diet intervention (p = 0,507 and p = 0,286). Adequate nutrition is an important part of the treatment of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, so it is necessary to monitor it.
|