Associations of health literacy with dialysis adherence and health resource utilization in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis.

Green JA, Mor MK, Shields AM, Sevick MA, Arnold RM, Palevsky PM, Fine MJ, Weisbord SD. Associations of health literacy with dialysis adherence and health resource utilization in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation. 2013 Jul 1; 62(1):73-80.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• IIR 07-190 – Pain, Sexual Dysfunction and Depression in Hemodialysis Patients

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Although limited health literacy is common in hemodialysis patients, its effects on clinical outcomes are not well understood. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING and PARTICIPANTS: 260 maintenance hemodialysis patients enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of symptom management strategies from January 2009 through April 2011. PREDICTOR: Limited health literacy. OUTCOMES: Dialysis adherence (missed and abbreviated treatments) and health resource utilization (emergency department visits and end-stage renal disease [ESRD]-related hospitalizations). MEASUREMENTS: We assessed health literacy using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) and used negative binomial regression to analyze the independent associations of limited health literacy with dialysis adherence and health resource utilization over 12-24 months. RESULTS: 41 of 260 (16%) patients showed limited health literacy (REALM score, = 60). There were 1,152 missed treatments, 5,127 abbreviated treatments, 552 emergency department visits, and 463 ESRD-related hospitalizations. Limited health literacy was associated independently with an increased incidence of missed dialysis treatments (missed, 0.6% vs 0.3%; adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR], 2.14; 95% CI, 1.10-4.17), emergency department visits (annual visits, 1.7 vs 1.0; adjusted IRR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.01-1.86), and hospitalizations related to ESRD (annual hospitalizations, 0.9 vs 0.5; adjusted IRR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.03-2.34). LIMITATIONS: Generalizability and potential for residual confounding. CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis who have limited health literacy are more likely to miss dialysis treatments, use emergency care, and be hospitalized related to their kidney disease. These findings have important clinical practice and cost implications.