Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO1065

Association between Health Literacy and Body Mass Index among Patients with CKD

Session Information

• CKD: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention - 3
  October 26, 2024 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

• 2301 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

• Chen, You-Chi, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

You-Chi Chen, MD

• Hsiao, Pei-Ni, Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Pei-Ni Hsiao

• Hwang, Shang-Jyh, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Shang-Jyh Hwang, MD

• Chiu, Yi-Wen, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Yi-Wen Chiu, MD

• Tsai, Yi-chun, Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Yi-chun Tsai, MD

Background

Patients with chronic diseases need to have sufficient health literacy to establish the ability of self-care. Variation of body mass index (BMI) has been related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Limited studies examined the association between BMI and health literacy in CKD patients. This study aims to explore the relationship between health literacy and BMI in CKD patients.

Methods

The cross-sectional study enrolled CKD patients in Interdisciplinary CKD Care Program conducted at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital in southern Taiwan. Health literacy was measured at study interview using multidimensional health literacy questionnaire. The proposed scale covers the following five dimensions including accessing, understanding, appraising, applying health information, and communication and interaction. The total scores of health literacy was calculated as (the average scores of the sum of five dimensions -1)*50/3. According to the total scores, health literacy could be graded as inadequate (score range (SR): 0~25), limited/insufficient (SR: 26~33), sufficient (SR: 34-42), and excellent (SR: 43~50).

Results

Among 240 CKD patients, 33.4% had limited and insufficient health literacy. BMI was negatively correlated with total scores and five dimensions of health literacy in multivariable linear regression (r: -0.25, p=0.02). Late CKD patients with high BMI had lower health literacy scores than early CKD patients with high BMI. CKD patients with high total scores of health literacy and accessing or applying health information had decreased risk of obesity (BMI > 27 kg/m²).

Conclusion

The significant relationship between BMI and the grade of health literacy was found in CKD patients. Improvement of health literacy may assist in reducing the risk of obesity.