Body Weight Estimation in Chronic Kidney Disease: Results of a Practitioner Survey

Purpose To survey the body weight estimation practices of renal dietitians in the United States in preparation for the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation symposium addressing this topic. Objectives To obtain quantitative and qualitative data on body weight estimation clinical practices of renal dietitians through the use of a forced-choice and open-ended survey format, and to assess the impact of the variation of body weight estimation practices on the determination of caloric, protein, and other nutritional parameters for different chronic kidney disease stages 1-5. Methods A survey was developed by one renal dietitian with input from a cohort of 12 nationally representative renal dietitians. The survey was posted on the RenalRD listserv and free dissemination was encouraged. Responding dietitians were asked to respond anonymously using facsimile, e-mail, or traditional mail. Results One hundred twenty-six surveys were received, 60% in the e-mail format, between February 15 and April 15, 2005. Conclusions The results showed a wide variation in clinical practice patterns in determining the body weight of chronic kidney disease patients. Future revisions of Kidney Disease Outcomes and Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) Nutrition Care Guidelines will need to address this disparity. More information on practice patterns in the global kidney community would help to direct professional consensus in this area.