# Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients with chronic kidney disease toward osteosarcopenia

## TL;DR

This study examines how well patients with chronic kidney disease understand and manage osteosarcopenia, finding that their knowledge and practices are lacking.

## Contribution

The study identifies demographic and psychological factors influencing knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward osteosarcopenia in chronic kidney disease patients.

## Key findings

- Patients had low knowledge scores (31.65%) and moderate attitude and practice scores.
- Factors like being single or bedridden were linked to lower knowledge scores.
- Knowledge directly and indirectly influenced attitudes and practices positively.

## Abstract

To investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients with chronic kidney disease regarding osteosarcopenia.

This cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients with chronic kidney disease at People’s Hospital of Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang from February to September, 2025. Demographic information was obtained, and KAP scores were assessed using a questionnaire. The differences in KAP toward osteosarcopenia were compared among patients with different demographic characteristics. The factors influencing knowledge, attitudes, and practices were determined using logistic regression analyses. A path analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between the knowledge, attitudes, and practices dimensions.

This study enrolled 585 participants. The mean knowledge score was 6.33 ± 5.48 (on a maximum of 20, 31.65%), the mean attitude score was 34.33 ± 5.98 (on a maximum of 50, 68.66%), and the mean practice score was 27.89 ± 9.82 (on a maximum of 50, 55.78%). Being single (OR = 0.532, 95% CI: 0.322-0.876), requiring partial assistance with activities of daily living (OR = 0.247, 95% CI: 0.144-0.424), being bedridden (OR = 0.055, 95% CI: 0.012-0.246), score 9–12 for social support and environmental factors (OR = 1.674, 95% CI: 1.000-2.804), score 13–20 for social support and environmental factors (OR = 5.771, 95% CI: 2.971-11.209), score 5.0-6.9 for confidence level in preventing osteosarcopenia (OR = 3.933, 95% CI: 2.179-7.101), and score 7.0-10.0 for confidence level in preventing osteosarcopenia (OR = 4.227, 95% CI: 2.174-8.216) were independently associated with the knowledge scores. Knowledge had a direct and positive influence on attitude (β=0.682, P<0.001) and practice (β=0.523, P<0.001). Attitude positively directly influenced practice (β=0.344, P<0.001). Knowledge had a positive indirect influence on practice through attitude (β=0.235, P<0.001).

Patients with chronic kidney disease had suboptimal knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward osteosarcopenia. Interventions should be designed to improve their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward osteosarcopenia.