z-logo
Premium
Relationship between Health Literacy and Kidney Function
Author(s) -
Devraj Radhika,
Borrego Matthew,
Vilay A Mary,
Gordon Elisa J.,
Pailden Junvie,
Horowitz Bruce
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
nephrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1440-1797
pISSN - 1320-5358
DOI - 10.1111/nep.12425
Subject(s) - medicine , renal function , kidney disease , demographics , health literacy , confidence interval , nephrology , observational study , demography , health care , sociology , economics , economic growth
Aim Low health literacy ( HL ) may contribute to poor self‐management of chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) and poor kidney function. This study aimed to assess the relationship between HL and estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR ). Methods A cross‐sectional observational study was conducted among consecutive eligible adult patients with CKD stages 1–4 attending an outpatient nephrology clinic. HL was assessed using N ewest V ital S ign ( NVS ). eGFR was estimated using the M odification of D iet in R enal D isease equation. CKD self‐management behaviour knowledge was assessed using a study instrument ( CKD self‐management knowledge ( SMKT )).Results One hundred fifty patients participated in the study (83% participation rate). The prevalence of high likelihood of limited HL was 32.7%. Participants' eGFRs ranged from 17 to 152 mL/min / 1.73 m 2 , with over 80% of the eGFRs below 60 mL/min / 1.73 m 2 . HL was associated with eGFR after controlling for all demographics except age, race and gender (which are included in eGFR equation) ( P  = 0.05). Every unit increase in NVS score was associated with a 1.9% increase (95% confidence interval = 0 to 3.86%) in eGFR (model R square = 0.23, P  = 0.002), which remained significant after controlling for CKD‐SMKT ( P  = 0.05; model R square = 0.28, P  < 0.001). The relationship was non‐significant after controlling for age, although it remained significant after controlling for other demographics including gender and race. Conclusions There is a small but significant association between HL and eGFR. Providers should use HL ‐tailored communication strategies in CKD patients. Larger multicentre studies are needed to substantiate this relationship.

This content is not available in your region!

Continue researching here.

Having issues? You can contact us here