Effect of Dietary salt reduction on BP in kidney transplant recipients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised controlled trial of the effect of dietary salt reduction on blood pressure and other cardiovascular parameters in kidney transplant recipients
IRAS ID
196819
Contact name
Pauline A Swift
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
High blood pressure is very common in kidney transplant patients, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and strokes. It is also associated with a shortened lifespan of the transplanted kidney. Reducing the amount of salt in the diet lowers blood pressure in the general population and there is emerging evidence that dietary salt reduction may lower blood pressure in patients with chronic kidney disease. Kidney transplant patients differ from these groups as the transplanted kidney does not have a nerve supply, which is important in regulating blood pressure, and they are often on medication that can cause high blood pressure. A lower salt intake may reduce blood pressure in kidney transplant patients, and may also protect against progressive kidney damage, and so may prolong the life of a transplanted kidney. A low salt diet may be particularly beneficial for kidney transplant patients but at present there is little evidence to confirm this. This study will compare a usual salt diet with a low salt diet, over a period of eight weeks, on blood pressure and other markers of cardiovascular disease in patients who have had a kidney transplant. Patients from a single kidney transplant centre who have had a kidney transplant at least six months previously and have a diagnosis of high blood pressure will be included in the study. Patients will be required to undergo urine and blood pressure checks at two weekly intervals during the study in addition to a blood test and a non-invasive scan of blood vessel function at the beginning and end of the study. This study will hopefully give insight into the advice we give to kidney transplant patients on limiting salt intake.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0467
Date of REC Opinion
12 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion