Background/Aims: People on dialysis have a high risk of cardiovascular disease. PUFA in particular omega-3 fatty acids are of interest in this population due to their cardioprotective properties. The PUFA food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is a validated tool to measure PUFA intake in healthy populations, but has yet to be validated in a diseased population. The aim of this study is to validate the PUFA FFQ using the method of triads in a population of end stage renal failure patients on dialysis.
Methods: Participants (n=32) completed the PUFA FFQ and multiple 24 hour recalls, non-fasting blood samples were taken (n=29) for erythrocyte fatty acid analysis. The triangular relationship between the PUFA FFQ, 24 hour recalls and the biomarker were assessed using the method of triads, which calculated validity coefficients for PUFA. Agreement between the two dietary methods were also assessed using Bland-Altman plots and classification by quintiles.
Results: The PUFA FFQ was a valid measure of all PUFA except for docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and arachidonic acid (AA). Strong validity coefficients were found for long chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of 0.914 (95% CI: 0.665, 0.997) and 0.889 (95% CI: 0.706, 0.994) respectively. Bland Altman plots showed a good level of agreement between the PUFA FFQ and the 24 hour recalls as approximately 95% of observations were between the levels of agreement.
Conclusion: The PUFA FFQ is a valid tool for assessing PUFA intake in a population of dialysis patients.
Funding source(s): N/A