Patient Assessment of CKD Self-Care using the CKDSC Scale in Taiwan.

AIM: Self-care behavior represents the "action" element of self-management. This study aimed to use the Chronic Kidney Disease Self-Care (CKDSC) scale to examine factors associated with self-care and aspects of self-care deficits among patients with CKD stages in Taiwan.

METHODS: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted using the CKDSC scale with a total of 449 CKD patients in Taiwan. The CKDSC is a 16-item questionnaire with five subscales, including medication adherence, diet control, exercise, smoking behaviors, and blood pressure monitoring. We included patient demographic and clinical factors in the multivariable regression models, and hypothesized that these factors may affect CKD self-care.

RESULTS: Holding all other factors equal, we found overall CKDSC scores were significantly higher for women (p = 0.020); older patients (p < 0.001); patients with college education (p = 0.033); body mass index < 24 kg/m2 (p = 0.005); later CKD stage; or participants in the CKD care program. Scores for early stage CKD patients were significantly lower for medication adherence, diet control, and blood pressure monitoring. Scores for patients who participated in the CKD care program were higher for medication adherence, diet control, and regular exercise habits.

CONCLUSION: The CKDSC scale is a tool for health professionals to assess patient self-care and provide specific plans based on associated risk factors and self-care deficits in a short clinical visit. Given the current validated CKDSC tool is in Chinese, future studies should validate it in CKD patients in other languages or countries before it can be considered for general use. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.