Effects of Dietary App-Supported Tele-Counseling on Sodium Intake, Diet Quality, and Blood Pressure in Patients With Diabetes and Kidney Disease.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a telehealth intervention that used a dietary app, educational website, and weekly dietitian tele-counseling on sodium intake, diet quality, blood pressure, and albuminuria among individuals with diabetes and early-stage chronic kidney disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined the effects of a dietary app-supported tele-counseling intervention in a single center, single arm study of 44 participants with type 2 diabetes and stage 1-3a chronic kidney disease. Participants recorded and shared dietary data via MyFitnessPal with registered dietitians, who used motivational interviewing to provide telephone counseling weekly for 8 weeks. After the 8-week intensive intervention, participants were followed at 6 and 12 months. Outcomes included 24-hour urine sodium (2 collections per timepoint), Healthy Eating Index 2015 score (three 24-hour dietary recalls per timepoint), 24-hour systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and 24-hour urine albumin excretion. RESULTS: Out of 44 consented participants (mean age 60.3 ± 11.9 years, 43% female, 89% white, median estimated glomerular filtration rate was 78.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, median urine albumin excretion 52.9 mg/day, 84% hypertension), 32 (73%) completed 8-week follow-up, 27 (61%) completed 6-month follow-up, and 25 (57%) completed 12-month follow-up. Among participants who completed 12-month follow-up, reported sodium intake decreased by 638 mg/day from baseline of 2,919 mg/day (P < .001). The 24-hour mean urine sodium and albumin excretion did not decline over the study period. Healthy Eating Index 2015 score improved by 7.76 points at 12 months from a mean baseline of 54.6 (P < .001). Both 24-hour SBP and DBP declined at 12 months from baseline (SBP -5.7 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval -10.5 to -1.0, P = .02; DBP -4.1 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval -7.2 to -1.1, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study demonstrates that a short, intensive, remotely delivered dietary intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes and early chronic kidney disease at high risk for disease progression and cardiovascular complications led to improvement in blood pressure and self-reported sodium intake and diet quality, but no improvement in albuminuria. Future research studies are needed to examine whether remotely delivered dietary interventions can ultimately improve kidney health over time.

The modified Atkins diet in children with Prader-Willi syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is the most common genetic cause of obesity. Various dietary strategies have been used for weight management for people with PWS. METHODS: This was a clinical feasibility study to test the use of the Modified Atkins Diet (low carbohydrate and high fat) for children with PWS ages 6-12 years who were overweight/obese. Participants went on the Modified Atkins Diet for 4 months and then returned to have anthropometry repeated including repeat labs and behavior questionnaires. RESULTS: Seven children (ages 6-12) were enrolled in the study. Four participants completed the 4-month diet trial; two were unable to comply with the diet and stopped prematurely. One patient lost 2.9 kg; the others maintained their weight. Adverse effects were increases in LDL (expected based on larger studies) and hypercalciuria (with no renal stones) for one patient. Positive effects on hyperphagia and behavior were noted subjectively by families. CONCLUSION: The Modified Atkins Diet can be a feasible low carbohydrate option for children with Prader-Willi Syndrome for weight management. Long-term use of the diet in patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome needs to be studied further.