The Feasibility of a Low Sodium Meal Plan for Residents of a Subsidized Senior Housing Facility: The SOTRUE Pilot Study

Objectives

To determine the feasibility of a low sodium meal plan intervention aimed at reducing seated blood pressure (BP) in residents of a government-subsidized congregate, senior living facility.

Methods

The Satter House Trial of Reduced Sodium Meals (SOTRUE) was an individual-level, masked, randomized, controlled pilot study, testing the feasibility of administering a low versus typical sodium meal plan to adult residents of Jack Satter House, a section 202 congregate living facility in Revere, MA, subsidized by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Adults over age 60 years received 3 isocaloric meals with two snacks daily over a 14-day period. Both meal plans were equivalent in potassium and macronutrients, but differed in sodium density (<0.95 mg/kcal vs > 2 mg/kcal). The primary outcome was seated systolic BP (SBP) averaged over 2 visits (days 10 and 14) using an Omron HEM-907XL automated cuff. Our objective measure of compliance was morning urine sodium-creatinine ratio.

Results

We randomized 20 participants (95% women, 95% white, and mean age 78 +/− 8 years), beginning in October 7, 2019. Baseline characteristics were evenly distributed between groups. Dietary compliance was high (only 2 discontinued meals) and follow-up was 100% with the last participant ending November 4, 2019. Baseline SBP changed from 121 to 116 mm Hg on the typical sodium meal plan (N = 9; mean difference of −5 mm Hg; 95% CI: −18, 8) and 123 to 112 mm Hg on the low sodium meal plan (N = 11; mean difference of −11 mm Hg; 95% CI: −15.2, −7.7). Compared to the typical sodium meal plan, the low sodium meal plan non-significantly reduced SBP by 5 mm Hg (95% CI: −14, 4) and non-significantly reduced urine sodium-creatinine ratio (%-difference −36.0; 95% CI: −60.3, 3.4). Effects on SBP were greater in the subgroup using hypertension medications at baseline (−13 mm Hg; 95% CI: −26, −0) and changes in SBP from baseline were correlated with changes in urine sodium-creatinine ratio (Pearson's r = 0.31).

Conclusions

This trial represents an innovative, feasible, and practical approach to healthier eating by altering federally-mandated meal plans. A definitive study with a larger sample size is needed to establish the efficacy and safety of this approach in older adults who reside in section 202 housing.

Funding Sources

ISAC, Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife.