SODIUM CONSUMPTION QUESTIONNAIRE WITH PHOTOGRAPHIC MANUAL: DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW TOOL FOR EVALUATION OF HYPERTENSIVE OUTPATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: To develop and evaluate the reliability of the Sodium Consumption Questionnaire with Photographic Manual for routine use in outpatient clinical care of hypertensive patients in a tertiary hospital, using the gold standard 24-hour sodium urinary test as reference. Design and method: Prospective cohort study with 50 patients, for development of the Sodium Consumption Questionnaire with Photographic Manual from the consumption frequency of rich sodium foods, intake of addition and per capita sodium compared to 24-hour sodium urinary test performed at the same day of application of the questionnaire. After patients signed informed consent it were excluded those who were unable to answer the questions, whose urine collection procedure was performed improperly and/or had a glomerular filtration rate < 45 mL/min/1.73m2. The reliability of the rich sodium foods list was done with pre-established portions, which were assessed by Cronbach's Alpha, as well as Pearson's correlation coefficient to rich sodium foods frequency and sodium intake per capita from 24-hour sodium urinary. The photographs for the manual were obtained from a horizontal surface and 45 ° angles in a portable studio with illumination and infinite background for better accuracy. Results: The mean age was 54 ± 13 years and 62,0% female, with a mean BP 165 ± 28/90 ± 25 mmHg and a mean body mass index of 31 (27,85 – 36,99) kg/m2. The mean 24-h Urinary sodium was 177 mEq (equivalent 4,07 grs of sodium). The value for Cronbach's Alpha was 0.542, assuming this result as satisfactory for the questionnaire. The consumption frequency by rich sodium foods list and sodium added per capita showed significant correlation with 24-hour sodium urine (r = 0.892; p < 0.01 and r = 0.501; p < 0.01, respectively). Thus, the development of the Sodium Consumption Questionnaire with Photographic Manual was done with consumption frequency and 34 pre-established standard photographs. Conclusions: The Sodium Consumption Questionnaire with Photographic Manual was developed with reliability and significant correlation with 24-hour urine sodium, allowing applicability in outpatient routine.