CHICAGO, Aug. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a
new review, approximately 30 million Americans – about 15 percent
of adults – have chronic kidney disease, a number that is expected
to increase in the next 20 years due to rising obesity rates and
longer lifespans, but the majority of chronic kidney disease
patients aren't receiving potentially lifesaving treatment.
"Medical Nutrition Therapy for Patients with
Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease: Barriers and
Solutions" was compiled by a multidisciplinary team that included
registered dietitian nutritionists, patient advocates and
physicians from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the
National Kidney Foundation, Loyola University
Chicago and the University of New
Mexico. It will be published in the October issue of the
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is
available online.
"MNT is the nutritional diagnostic, therapy and counseling
service for the purpose of disease management furnished by a RDN or
nutritional professional," said registered dietitian nutritionist
Alison Steiber, the Academy's chief
science officer and a co-author of the review.
"MNT by RDNs has been shown to improve health-related outcomes,
quality of life and prevent or delay disease-related complications
in patients living with CKD," Steiber said.
Nearly 90 percent of patients with chronic kidney disease never
meet with a registered dietitian nutritionist, according to the
review. Some physicians may lack confidence in MNT's effectiveness;
others may be unaware that MNT is covered by Medicare Part B for
patients who are not on dialysis. Patients may be reluctant to
invest the time and money in the therapy if it is not covered by
their insurance.
"Most patients don't understand how big a role their diet plays
in the management of their kidney disease," said co-author
Marsha Schofield, a registered
dietitian and the Academy's senior director of governance. "Medical
nutrition therapy helps patients with chronic kidney disease
improve their blood sugar and blood pressure, which will slow the
progression of the disease and even delay or prevent them from
needing to have dialysis or a transplant."
"The Academy and the National Kidney Foundation have a long
history of collaborating to advance the science and clinical
practice around kidney disease," Schofield said. "Both of our
organizations recommend MNT for all people with CKD."
The authors say more research is needed to study and remove
barriers to obtaining MNT.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest
organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is
committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the
profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.
Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at
www.eatright.org.
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SOURCE Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics