ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Please note that you are viewing an archived section from 2019 and some content may be unavailable. To unlock all content for 2019, please visit the archives.

Abstract: SA-PO846

Kidney Disease Knowledge, Health Literacy, and Self-Care in CKD

Session Information

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

  • 2101 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

  • Schrauben, Sarah J., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Cavanaugh, Kerri L., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
  • Fagerlin, Angela, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
  • Ikizler, Talat Alp, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
  • Ricardo, Ana C., University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Eneanya, Nwamaka D., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Wright, Julie, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Background

Research is needed to better understand the links between health literacy and kidney disease knowledge on patient self-care behaviors in order to guide interventions to improve self-care in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

Among study participants with CKD stage 1-5, validated surveys assessed level of health literacy (Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine [REALM]), perceived kidney disease knowledge (Perceived Kidney Knowledge Survey [PiKS]), objective kidney disease knowledge (Kidney Disease Knowledge Survey [KiKS]), and self-care behaviors (modified Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Assessment [SDSCA]). A summary score of self-care was constructed utilizing the SDSCA scoring system. Multivariable adjusted linear regression estimated the association of self-care scores with health literacy (inadequate vs. adequate, determined by REALM score ≤59 vs. >59, respectively) and PiKS and KiKS scores (per SD). Health literacy was also explored as a potential effect modifier.

Results

Of the 401 participants: mean age was 57 years; 47% female, 38% diabetes; 77% CKD stage 3-5. The prevalence of inadequate health literacy was 18%. The median KiKS score (range 0-1) was 0.7 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.6-0.8), and median PiKS score (range 0-4) was 2.6 (IQR 2.1-3.0). After full adjustment, a PiKS score was positively associated with self-care scores (β=1.0, 95% confidence interval: 0.3-1.7). Health literacy and KiKS scores were not associated with self-care. There was evidence of effect modification by health literacy; a KiKS score appeared to positively associate with self-care scores only among those with inadequate literacy, but this did not reach statistical significance (Figure).

Conclusion

Objective kidney knowledge is likely necessary, but not sufficient for self-care, and may be particularly helpful to those with inadequate health literacy. Perceived kidney knowledge has a strong positive association with self-care, offering a novel target to support self-care among patients with non-dialysis dependent CKD.

Association of Knowledge and Self-Care by Health Literacy Level.

Funding

  • NIDDK Support