The Effect of Dietary Intervention on Autosomal-Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) Patients on Tolvaptan and Their Quality of Life

Background and objective Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited renal disorder; it affects people of all ethnic groups and is found in up to 10% of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Dietary intervention is important in people with renal disease, and it has been linked to greater estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) preservation. Tolvaptan, an orally-active nonpeptide, selective arginine vasopressin (AVP) V2R antagonist, was recently licensed in numerous countries for the treatment of ADPKD. The aim of this study was to assess the role of dietary intervention in decreasing the osmotic load on the urine volume and its impact on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with ADPKD on tolvaptan. Methods This prospective cohort study was carried out at a Hamilton nephrology genetics clinic. ADPKD patients on well-tolerated doses of tolvaptan for three months were included in the study. Gitelman and Bartter Symptom Health-related QOL questionnaire was used among the study participants. Results Our study consisted of nine adult patients with ADPKD who were on a stable dose of tolvaptan therapy. Patients had laboratory values for urine volume, sodium (Na), and urea. No significant difference was found between pre- and post-diet intervention values in 24-hour urine volume (5.9 vs. 5.49 L/d; p=0.423), urine Na (p=0.174), and 24-hour urine urea (p=0.404). Conclusion Dietary intervention in ADPKD patients on tolvaptan therapy can play a vital role in improving their QOL. Further research including interventional studies and clinical trials with larger sample sizes is needed to gain deeper insight into the subject.