The Short-Term Impact of Dietary Counseling on Sodium Intake and Blood Pressure in Renal Allograft Recipients.

Background: Sodium retention causes posttransplant hypertension, and sodium restriction is recommended in kidney allograft recipients. However, there have been few studies on the impact of dietary counseling on sodium intake and blood pressure (BP) in this population. Objective: To determine the effect of dietary counseling on sodium intake and consequent BP control in kidney allograft recipients. Design, Setting, and Participants: A prospective single-arm study to determine the effect of dietary counseling on sodium intake. Enrolled were renal allograft recipients with sodium intake >100 mEq/d, BP >130/ 80, antihypertensive use, or body mass index >25 kg/m(2). Of 53 renal transplant recipients who met the criteria, 48 participated in the present study. Sodium intake was estimated based on 24-hour urinary sodium excretion before and after 3 sessions of dietary counseling by a board-certified dietitian. Results: Sodium intake was significantly decreased after dietary counseling (158.7 vs 129.6 mEq/d; P =.005). Systolic BP was significantly decreased from 124 mm Hg (interquartile range: 122- 134) before counseling to 121 mm Hg (interquartile range: 117- 128) after counseling (P <.001). The number of patients with systolic BP > 130 mm Hg was decreased by 30% (n = 19- 13; P =.07). Among 34 patients on antihypertensive medications, 8 (23.5%) ceased or reduced their drugs due to improvement in BP, whereas 2 increased or changed the drugs due to poor control of BP. Conclusion: Dietary counseling showed a short-term efficacy of reducing sodium intake and clinically relevant BP improvement in renal allograft recipients.