Iran Journal of Nursing

  Background and Aim: Adherences to fluid restriction and dietary and medication guidelines are essential for adequate management of hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to assess the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum potassium (K) and serum phosphorus (PO₄) levels and interdialytic weight gain (IWG) accounted for adherence of uremic patients on hemodialysis.

  Material and Method: It was a descriptive - correlational study in which 200 patients with renal failure and on hemodialysis, being treated at teaching hospitals of Iran University of medical sciences, participated in the study. The subjects were selected by census sampling method. Blood urea nitrogen, serum potassium and phosphorus levels and interdialytic weight gain of uremic patients were collected from medical charts and were analyzed by SPSS, version 14.

  Results: Most of the patients (56%) had non-adherence with fluid restrictions. The levels of phosphorus, potassium, and blood urea nitrogen were higher than expected levels in 25.5 %, 5.5% and 4.5% of patients, respectively. In addition, there were relationships between blood urea nitrogen, serum potassium, serum phosphorus levels and interdialytic weight gain with educational status (p ≤ 0.05), however, there were no statistically significant correlation between the levels of these variables with gender, age, financial status, marital status and duration of dialysis (p > 0.05).

  Conclusion: According to the findings, most patient had adherence to dietary and medication regimen and educational level of patient was associated with adherence. Dietary compliance may be improved by dietary counseling and education may motivates patients to change and comply with dietary recommendations. Therefore, another study to evaluate effect of dietary counseling techniques on adherence in dialysis patients is suggested.