Knowledge of the population on the influence of diet on renal lithiasis

Abstract

Abstract Kidney stones is a very prevalent disease, whose morbidity is associated with the recurrence of stone formation. Food plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of the disease, but this impact is still not widespread. Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the knowledge of the general population and of individuals with nephrolithiasis regarding the formation of kidney stones and the dietary measures recommended for their prevention. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study, with a convenient sample. Data were collected using an online questionnaire containing 39 questions [sociodemographic data (8), health data (14), and dietary treatment knowledge (17)], shared on social media. Results: The questionnaire was answered by 283 participants [76.1% women; median age 34.5 (28-75.41) years], 61. 5% reporting being lithiasic. The lythiasic group had more comorbidities than the non-lythiasic one. Most of the participants (85.9%) believed that diet could prevent the formation of kidney stones, with higher frequency in the non-lythiasic group (93.6% vs lythiasics81%, p=0.003).Lithiasics in comparison with non-lythiasics presented lower frequency of correct answers for the items "increased fluid intake" (87.9% vs 95.4%, p=0.034) and "regular consumption of fruits, vegetables and vegetables" (47.7% vs 60.6%, p=0.035), the factors that decrease stone formation; and "milk chocolate being the most indicated for individuals with oxalate-based stones" (5.7% vs 13.8%, p=0.021). However, lithiasics had a higher frequency of correct answers about "low calcium intake increases stone formation" (29.9% vs non-lithiasics: 24.8%, p=0.018). Conclusion: the present study shows that there are gaps in knowledge about dietary advice in patients with renal lithiasis, which is even more worrying about the few differences when compared to non-lithiasic individuals.