Education by a dietitian in patients with heart failure results in improved adherence with a sodium-restricted diet: a randomized trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Multidisciplinary heart failure (HF) programs reduce hospital readmission and improve clinical outcomes. Although dietitians are often members of such teams, no randomized studies have demonstrated the independent benefit of dietitian-administered dietary counseling for patients with HF. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietitian education on adherence to a sodium-restricted diet in ambulatory patients with stable HF.

METHODS:

Patients with HF (left ventricular ejection fraction < 35%) were randomized into a dietitian education group (n = 23) or a usual care group (n = 24), then observed for 3 months. Both groups received a 2 g/d dietary sodium prescription. The usual care group received nutrition advice by way of self-help literature, whereas the dietitian education group returned for 2 counseling sessions with a dietitian.

RESULTS:

Dietitian education resulted in a significant decrease in sodium intake at 3 months (2.80 +/- 0.30 to 2.14 +/- 0.23 g/d, P < .05). In contrast, there was no change in sodium intake in the usual care group (3.00 +/- 0.31 to 2.74 +/- 0.35 g/d, P = ns).

CONCLUSIONS:

Dietitian-administered counseling was more effective than providing literature in reducing dietary sodium intake in patients with stable HF.

• Authors: Jo Anne L Arcand, Sandra Brazel, Courtney Joliffe, Marlene Choleva, Frances Berkoff, Johane P Allard, Gary E Newton
• Journal: American heart journal (Am Heart J) Vol. 150 Issue 4 Pg. 716 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 1097-6744 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 16209971 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Diet, Sodium-Restricted
• Dietetics
• Female
• Heart Failure (rehabilitation)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Compliance
• Patient Education as Topic