Abstract: SA-PO0892
Trends in Dietitian Use Among Patients with CKD in a Large Urban Safety-Net Health System
Session Information
- Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
- 1500 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
Authors
- Narasaki, Yoko, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Rhee, Connie, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Simon, Lewis, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States
- Tran, Diana, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States
- Jerman, Nikki, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States
- Iloenyosi, Sean, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States
- Chen, Yanjun, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States
- Chu, Katelyn Michelle, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States
- Moreno Garcia, Ashley Yvonne, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States
- Novoa Vargas, Alejandra, University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Zisman-Ilani, Yaara, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, United States
Background
CKD disproportionately affects socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, yet data describing access to nutrition care in large public healthcare systems are limited. Dietitian evaluation is a cornerstone of CKD management and may be particularly important among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), a leading cause of CKD progression. We examined temporal trends in dietitian utilization in CKD patients receiving care within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, one of the nation's largest public safety-net health systems serving a diverse and medically underserved population.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study of adults with CKD receiving care in the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services between 2015–2024. Annual utilization of dietitian evaluations was assessed overall and stratified by DM status. Dietitian utilization was defined as the proportion of CKD patients with ≥1 completed dietitian evaluation in a given calendar year. Temporal trends were evaluated descriptively across study years.
Results
Among 50,972 CKD patients receiving care within this large integrated safety-net system, dietitian utilization remained stable overall across the study period, with approximately 9–15% of patients completing annual dietitian evaluations despite substantial growth in the CKD population over time (Figure). Patients with DM consistently demonstrated higher utilization rates than those without DM, suggesting greater integration of nutrition services among higher-risk populations. Among CKD patients with DM, utilization increased from 9.9% in 2021 to 14.9% in 2024, representing the highest rate observed during the study period. Although utilization among patients without DM declined over time, rates remained comparable to or exceeded those observed among patients with DM during several earlier study years.
Conclusion
Within one of the nation's largest public safety-net healthcare systems, dietitian services reached a substantial number of patients with CKD over a 10-year period, particularly in those with DM. Recent increases in utilization among patients with DM may reflect growing recognition of the importance of nutrition-focused kidney care within underserved populations.
Funding
- NIDDK Support