Background: Stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease(CKD) among liver transplant(LT) recipients is common and associated with diminished patient and graft outcomes. Our previous study showed that CKD knowledge among LT recipients is lower than the CKD patients in the general population. We developed a one page CKD education and goal-setting tool based upon the gaps in CKD knowledge among LT recipients. We examined the effectiveness of CKD education tool administered by transplant staff at improving CKD knowledge among LT recipients.

Methods: In this prospective patient education study with pre- and post-education survey analysis, we administered CKD education tool to 76 LT recipients who consented to learn more about CKD. Participants were identified during a multidisciplinary LT clinic visit when they were offered a 'Knowledge of Chronic Kidney Disease after Liver Transplant' (KCALT) survey between 7/10/2016 and 9/30/2017. A KCALT survey was repeated after participants received the CKD education and goal-setting discussion towards lifestyle modifications. Pre and post-education CKD knowledge scores were compared using the paired t-test. Linear regression was used to assess the independent predictors of change in knowledge score.

Results: The mean age of LT recipients was 56 years, 71% were males, 87% were Caucasians with a mean eGFR of 62.5ml/min. Time spent for the education was <15min. The mean post-education CKD knowledge scores were significantly higher than the pre-education survey (83% vs. 73%;p<0.001). Higher CKD stage(β=0.061;p=0.049) was independently associated with the increase in CKD knowledge after adjusting for age, education, diabetes and hypertension. At the end of the education, all of the patients stated their most important self-management goal and expressed motivation to achieve them.

Conclusions: Our study showed that a simple CKD education and goal-setting tool administered by transplant staff improved CKD knowledge significantly in LT recipients. This education tool should be implemented in multidisciplinary post-LT clinics to improve CKD knowledge and goal setting. This practice may improve post-LT renal outcomes through self-management of CKD risk factors.

CITATION INFORMATION: Leek R., Park J., Koerschner C., Mawby J., Wright Nunes J., Sonnenday C., Sharma P. Assesment of a Novel Chronic Kidney Disease Educational and Goal Setting Tool among Liver Transplant Recipients Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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