Background: A significant proportion of liver transplant (LT) pts develop advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) that negatively impacts mortality and morbidity. Our aim was to examine the knowledge of CKD among LT pts. Methods: Adult LT pts transplanted between 1/1/08-8/31/16 were surveyed between July-Nov 2016 at their clinic visit. Patients were excluded if they received a kidney transplant or had CKD stage 4-5. We adapted a previously validated Kidney Knowledge Survey (KiKS, Wright et al. AJKD 2011;57:387-95) for LT pts. The survey consisted of 7 questions about kidney function and 12 questions in the following domains: 1) knowledge of CKD, 2) CKD complications, 3) CKD risk factors, 4) LT-specific CKD risk, and 5) HTN and DM control goals. Each question had one best answer. Results: Out of 116 pts approached, 104 (90%) completed the survey. Participants' median age was 60 yrs, 74% males, 88% Caucasians, 23% HCV, 43% HTN, and 28% DM. Eighty-one percent had ≥ high school education. The median time from LT to survey was 29 months. The results are presented as proportions of correct answers.

Conclusion: LT pts had limited understanding about kidney functions outside of urine production and waste clearance. A quarter of the participants were not aware of increased CKD risk after LT, nor the association between CKD and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patient education to address LT-specific CKD and CVD knowledge gaps is needed to optimize patient engagement in self-management to prevent disease progression.

CITATION INFORMATION: Park J, Koerschner C, Selman S, Mawby J, Paknikar S, Sonnenday C, Wright Nunes J, Sharma P. Knowledge of Chronic Kidney Disease Among Liver Transplant Patients. Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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