Effect of Low Protein Diet on Conservation of Renal Functions in Diabetic Nephropathy and Problems in Nutrition Counseling

Abstract

To investigate the effect of low protein diet on the renal functions in diabetic nephropathy patients, 24 NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) patients with renal failure were studied retrospectively; 13 who received nutritional counseling for restricted protein diet (Group A) and 11 who did not receive counseling (Group B), both groups with about 2mg/dl serum creatinine level. There were no significant differences in age, blood urea nitrogen and duration of diabetes between the two groups, but 8 (61.5%) of Group A and 8 (72.7%) of Group B received dialysis after 21.4±1.9 months and 14.1±1.3 months respectively. Significant prolongation of the period before dialysis was observed in Group A but not in Group B (p<0.05). To accept and observe the low protein diet is very difficult for NIDDM patients who are accustomed to a carbohydrate restriction diet, indicating the extreme importance of individual periodical counseling.