Purpose: To examine the levels of the disease-related knowledge and educational demands of pre-dialysis, chronic
renal failure patients at different GFRs and stages. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey and aimed at 116
pre-dialysis, chronic renal failure patients, who were registered and received regular treatment from December 1 to December
31, 2009 at the nephrology departments of tertiary medical centers in Seoul. Stages were classified into Stage 3, 4
and 5 depending on GFR ranges. To measure the levels of knowledge and educational demands, the tool, which were
first invented by Young Ae Lim (1996) and then modified by Hyo Sun Lim (2005) to adjust the knowledge and educational
demands measuring tool for hemodialysis patients to pre-dialysis patients with chronic renal failure, was used. Collected
data was analyzed with the SPSS WIN 12.0 program (average, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient,
t-test and ANOVA). Results: There was a significant difference in the disease-related knowledge levels of the subjects
at each stage (F=24.41, p=.000). The Scheffe post hoc test confirmed that patients at higher stages had higher levels of
knowledge of their disease. Also, although the results showed that patients at higher stages had higher educational
demands, there was no significant difference among the groups (F=1.259, p=.288). Conclusion: As patients have different
levels of knowledge of the disease and educational demands depending on their stages, it is important to develop
and use a systematic education program that reflects the demands and levels of patients at each stage in order to help
pre-dialysis patients with chronic renal failure with self-management and improve their quality of life.