E-Learning Model in Chronic Kidney Disease Management: a Controlled Clinical Trial

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a challenging health problem. The present study examined impact of self-care education through e-learning on improving kidney function among individuals with CKD. The studied population consisted of CKD patients receiving care at 10 centers for treating noncommunicable diseases in Tehran. Three centers were randomly selected and 39 patients with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, minimum education of grade 9, minimum of 2 years of referrals, and computer literacy of the individual or a first-degree relative were included in the study, while 92 patients were assigned into the control group. Changes in GFR were compared after 6 months following an e-learning program for the patients in the intervention group. The mean change in GFR was 7.5 ± 8.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 for the intervention group after the e-learning intervention, while this was -2.3 ± 8.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. The two groups were also significantly different in terms of age, marital status, education level, mean arterial pressure, and serum high-density lipoprotein level, and therefore, multivariable comparison of GFR was made incorporating these factor into the analysis and showed a significant improvement of GFR in the intervention group. According to the results of this study, effects of the e-learning educational intervention on improvement in kidney function and CKD treatment were established.