Hyperphosphatemia and the multiplication of Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) will increase the risk of dialysis patients' developing cardiovascular calcification, which results in high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the study was to investigate the level of knowledge about high phosphate food consumption and phosphate binders taken by chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) patients. 84 CPD patients (30 males and 54 females) were recruited from National Cheng Kung University Hospital. Their average age was 43.8±13.4 years old. They were required to fill in questionnaires about cognition of high phosphate food consumption and their knowledge of phosphate binders taking. The correlation between the age and the test score was significantly negative (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation (p<0.01) between the test score and the educational degree. There was no correlation between the test score and the serum phosphorus level or the Ca×P value. The correct usage of phosphate binder and the recognition of phosphorus rich food had the highest rates of correct answers (both were 87% of the patients). By contrast, the lowest rates of correct answers (30% of the patients) were on questions about complications of hyperphosphatemia. 74% of the patients knew about taking phosphate binders with meals. A mere 21% of the patients took phosphate binders while eating snacks. The other 12% mixed the ground phosphate binders in food. The medical staff should establish a program to raise the patients' awareness of the importance and the correct usage of phosphate binders in diet, in order to reduce CPD patients' serum phosphorus levels, and therefore decrease complications.
Hyperphosphatemia and the multiplication of Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) will increase the risk of dialysis patients' developing cardiovascular calcification, which results in high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the study was to investigate the level of knowledge about high phosphate food consumption and phosphate binders taken by chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) patients. 84 CPD patients (30 males and 54 females) were recruited from National Cheng Kung University Hospital. Their average age was 43.8±13.4 years old. They were required to fill in questionnaires about cognition of high phosphate food consumption and their knowledge of phosphate binders taking. The correlation between the age and the test score was significantly negative (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation (p<0.01) between the test score and the educational degree. There was no correlation between the test score and the serum phosphorus level or the Ca×P value. The correct usage of phosphate binder and the recognition of phosphorus rich food had the highest rates of correct answers (both were 87% of the patients). By contrast, the lowest rates of correct answers (30% of the patients) were on questions about complications of hyperphosphatemia. 74% of the patients knew about taking phosphate binders with meals. A mere 21% of the patients took phosphate binders while eating snacks. The other 12% mixed the ground phosphate binders in food. The medical staff should establish a program to raise the patients' awareness of the importance and the correct usage of phosphate binders in diet, in order to reduce CPD patients' serum phosphorus levels, and therefore decrease complications.