Quality of life of patients with end-stage renal disease at various stages of the illness

Psychosocial factors affecting patients with end-stage kidney disease and the impact of the social worker

BACKGROUND

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) incidence has been increasing over time, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. However, there is limited data examining the psychosocial factors affecting people with ESKD and how the social worker fits within the multidisciplinary CKD care. This integrative systematic review aims to summarise the existing evidence on psychosocial determinants of outcomes in ESKD and the role of the social worker in nephrology care.

METHOD

The literature search was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE, targeting articles published from database inception until May 2021. This systematic review was performed in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The Joanna Briggs Institute tools were employed to assess the quality of included studies.

RESULTS

Of the 397 citations, 13 studies applicable to 1465 patients met the inclusion criteria. The studies were of cross-sectional, experimental, and exploratory qualitative design in nature. The findings of the studies were summarised into three major themes-psychosocial factors, role of the renal social worker, and impact of the renal social worker. The studies demonstrated that concerns related to adjustment, death and dying, family and social functioning, and loss were common amongst participants of the included studies indicating the need for a social worker. Three studies explored the impact of social workers in ESKD, revealing that people who received support from social workers had an improved quality of life, lower depression scores, and reduced hospitalisations and emergency room visits.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the multitude of physical and psychological stressors that patients with ESRD face, and highlights the positive role social workers can play in improving the psychosocial stressors in this patient group, and the need for large-scale randomised trials to understand the role of social workers as part of a multidisciplinary nephrology care.

The Psychosocial and Somatic Effects of Relocation from Remote Canadian First Nation Communities to Urban Centres on Indigenous Peoples with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease, also referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is a prevalent and chronic condition for which treatment is necessary as a means of survival once affected individuals reach the fifth and final stage of the disease. Dialysis is a form of maintenance treatment that aids with kidney functioning once a normal kidney is damaged. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Each form of treatment is discussed between the patient and nephrologist and is largely dependent upon the following factors: medical condition, ability to administer treatment, supports, geographical location, access to necessary equipment/supplies, personal wishes, etc. For Indigenous Peoples who reside on remote Canadian First Nation communities, relocation is often recommended due to geographical location and limited access to both health care professionals and necessary equipment/supplies (i.e., quality of water, access to electricity/plumbing, etc.). Consequently, the objective of this paper is to determine the psychosocial and somatic effects for Indigenous Peoples with ESRD if they have to relocate from remote First Nation communities to an urban centre. A review of the literature suggests that relocation to urban centres has negative implications that are worth noting: cultural isolation, alienation from family and friends, somatic issues, psychosocial issues, loss of independence and role adjustment. As a result of relocation, it is evident that the impact is profound in terms of an individuals’ mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Ensuring that adequate social support and education are available to patients and families would aid in alleviating stressors associated with managing chronic kidney disease.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness for Health-Related Quality of Life: Comparing Treatments for Parents of Children with Chronic Conditions - A Pilot Feasibility Study

Background:

Research on parents of children with chronic conditions has shown that this parent group frequently suffers from psychological problems such as deteriorating life quality and stress-related disorders.

Objective:

The present feasibility study focuses on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and life satisfaction of parents of children with chronic conditions.

Method:

The study was conducted using a repeated measures design and applied either group-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT; n = 10) or a group-based mindfulness programme (MF; n = 9). The study participants were wait-listed for six months.

Results:

The results indicate improvements for participants in both treatment groups regarding certain areas of HRQOL and life satisfaction. After eight group therapy sessions, parents in the two treatment groups significantly improved their Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores as well as their scores on the mental subscales Vitality, Social functioning, Role emotional and Mental health. In addition, some of the physical subscales, Role physical, Bodily pain and General health, showed considerable improvement for the MF group. When testing for clinical significance by comparing the samples with mean values of a norm population, the MCS scores were significantly lower at pre-measurements, but no significant differences were observed post-measurement. For the Physical component summary (PCS) scores, a significantly higher score was observed at post-measurement when compared to the norm population. Moreover, the results indicate improvement in life satisfaction regarding Spare time, Relation to child and Relation to partner.

Conclusion:

The study concludes that CBT and mindfulness may have a positive effect on areas of HRQOL and life satisfaction.

Are there differences in the prevalence of palliative care-related problems in people living with advanced cancer and eight non-cancer conditions? A systematic review

CONTEXT

If access to effective palliative care is to extend beyond cancer patients, an understanding of the comparative prevalence of palliative care problems among cancer and non-cancer patients is necessary.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aimed to describe and compare the prevalence of seventeen palliative care-related problems across the four palliative care domains among adults with advanced cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, chronic heart failure, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, Parkinson's disease, and dementia.

METHODS

Three databases were searched using three groups of keywords. The results of the extraction of the prevalence figures were summarized.

RESULTS

The electronic searches yielded 4697 hits after the removal of 1784 duplicates. Of these hits, 143 met the review criteria. The greatest number of studies were found for advanced cancer (n=57) and ESRD patients (n=47), and 75 of the 143 studies used validated scales. Few data were available for people living with multiple sclerosis (n=2) and motor neuron disease (n=3). The problems with a prevalence of 50% or more found across most of the nine studied diagnostic groups were: pain, fatigue, anorexia, dyspnea, and worry.

CONCLUSION

There are commonalities in the prevalence of problems across cancer and non-cancer patients, highlighting the need for palliative care to be provided irrespective of diagnosis. The methodological heterogeneity across the studies and the lack of non-cancer studies need to be addressed in future research.

Factors Associated with Coping Mechanisms among Egyptian Patients with End Stage Renal Disease and on Haemodialysis

This study intends to identify factors that influence coping with physical and emotional impacts of haemodialysis on patients in Egypt. A questionnaire was administrated to a random sample of 162 participants, 87 men and 75 women, who had received outpatient treatment in health care clinics in seven Egyptian cities. A regression model was used with four independent variables (view of medical treatment, effect of pain, adjustment to treatment, and satisfaction with life) to explain variance in satisfaction with self and coping. Results show about half the variance in the patients' ability to cope and express satisfaction with the self was explained by the independent variables ( R2=–.55, R2=.45). Implications contributing to adjustment and coping are presented, showing the need to advance medical service and enhance patients' ability to develop effective strategies.

Symptom burden in chronic kidney disease: a review of recent literature

BACKGROUND

People living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience multiple symptoms due to both the disease and its treatment. However, these symptoms are often underrecognised. In addition, the majority of studies have focused on an individual symptom; however, these symptoms rarely occur in isolation and may instead occur in clusters.

AIM OF REVIEW

To investigate the total symptom burden in advanced CKD (Stages 4 and 5) and to identify the key instruments that are used to assess multiple symptoms.

METHODS

A literature search from 2006 to 2012 was undertaken and a total of 19 articles were included.

RESULTS

The most common CKD symptoms were fatigue or lack of energy, feeling drowsy, pain and pruritus. However, symptom assessment instruments varied between studies, often with inconsistent or inadequate symptom dimensions.

CONCLUSION

People with CKD experience a high symptom burden, although little is known about the burden for people with CKD Stage 4 and for those with CKD Stage 5 receiving peritoneal dialysis. This review recommends that a full range of symptoms be assessed for those at different stages of CKD. Improved understanding of the burden of symptoms can be used as the basis for treatment choices and for identifying priorities which are likely to contribute to a better quality of life and improve the quality of care.

[Structural equation modeling on quality of life in pre-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease]

PURPOSE

This study was designed to test structural equation modeling of the quality of life of pre-dialysis patients, in order to provide guidelines for the development of interventions and strategies to improve the quality of life of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

METHODS

Participants were patients who visited the nephrology outpatient department of a tertiary hospital located in Seoul. Data on demographic factors, social support, nutritional status, physical factors and biobehavioral factors and quality of life were collected between March 4 and March 31, 2011.

RESULTS

In the final analysis 208 patients were included. Of the patients 42% were in a malnourished state. Anxious or depressed patients accounted for 62.0%, 72.6%, respectively. Model fit indices for the hypothetical model were in good agreement with the recommended levels (GFI=.94 and CFI=.99). Quality of life in pre-dialysis patients with CKD was significantly affected by demographic factors, social support, nutritional status, physical factors and biobehavioral factors. Biobehavioral factors had the strongest and most direct influence on quality of life of patients with CKD.

CONCLUSION

In order to improve the quality of life in pre-dialysis patients with CKD, comprehensive interventions are necessary to assess and manage biobehavioral factors, physical factors and nutritional status.

Systematic review of health-related quality of life models

Background

A systematic literature review was conducted to (a) identify the most frequently used health-related quality of life (HRQOL) models and (b) critique those models.

Methods

Online search engines were queried using pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We reviewed titles, abstracts, and then full-text articles for their relevance to this review. Then the most commonly used models were identified, reviewed in tables, and critiqued using published criteria.

Results

Of 1,602 titles identified, 100 articles from 21 countries met the inclusion criteria. The most frequently used HRQOL models were: Wilson and Cleary (16%), Ferrans and colleagues (4%), or World Health Organization (WHO) (5%). Ferrans and colleagues’ model was a revision of Wilson and Cleary’s model and appeared to have the greatest potential to guide future HRQOL research and practice.

Conclusions

Recommendations are for researchers to use one of the three common HRQOL models unless there are compelling and clearly delineated reasons for creating new models. Disease-specific models can be derived from one of the three commonly used HRQOL models. We recommend Ferrans and colleagues’ model because they added individual and environmental characteristics to the popular Wilson and Cleary model to better explain HRQOL. Using a common HRQOL model across studies will promote a coherent body of evidence that will more quickly advance the science in the area of HRQOL.

Impairment of kidney function and reduced quality-of-life in older people: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

to assess the association of kidney function with quality-of-life in community-dwelling older adults aged 75 years or more in the UK.

DESIGN

cross-sectional study.

SETTING

primary care; 12 UK general practices participating in a cluster trial of health screening.

SUBJECTS

estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, ml/min/1.73 m(2)) using the four-variable modified diet in renal disease equation was derived in 1,195 men and 1,772 women with available bloods, these were 92% of 3,211 study participants who consented to interviews and 73% of those invited into the original cluster trial of health screening.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

interviews by trained fieldworker using the Sickness Impact Profile (home management, mobility, self-care, social interaction), and the Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale. Higher scores imply worse quality-of-life in a given domain.

RESULTS

in age- and co-morbidity-adjusted analyses there was an association of eGFR <45 and the highest scores (defined as ≥median) of mobility (men: odds ratio (OR) 2.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56-5.41; women: OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.02-2.94), home management (men: OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.09-2.04; women: OR 3.50, 95% CI 1.18-10.35), social interaction (men: OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.73-6.45; women: 2.64, 95% CI 1.61-4.33) when compared with those with eGFR ≥60 and who reported no problems. Men with eGFR <45 had low morale (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.02-5.87) but this was not found for women (OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.65-3.04), whereas women (but not men) with eGFR <45 reported problems with body care (women: OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.25-2.27: men: OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.55-1.46).

CONCLUSIONS

an eGFR <45 is associated with poorer quality-of-life at older age. More research is needed to identify modifiable causes to improve quality-of-life in older people with such a degree of kidney function impairment.

Biomarkers and health-related quality of life in end-stage renal disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) predicts mortality in ESRD, yet adoption of HRQOL monitoring is not widespread, and regulatory authorities remain predominantly concerned with monitoring traditional biologic parameters. To assist with future efforts to adopt HRQOL monitoring while acknowledging the importance of biomarkers, this study sought to establish which domains of HRQOL are most affected by ESRD and to measure the strength of evidence linking common biomarkers to HRQOL in ESRD.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

A systematic review was performed to identify studies that measured HRQOL in ESRD. Data were abstracted according to a conceptual model regarding the measurement of HRQOL differences, and HRQOL data were converted to weighted mean effect sizes and correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

The impact of ESRD was largest in the Short Form 36 domains of physical functioning (e.g., role-physical, vitality) and smallest in mental functioning (e.g., mental health, role-emotional). Dialysis adequacy, as measured by Kt/V, was a poor correlate for Short Form 36 scores. Similarly, mineral metabolism (e.g., calcium x phosphorous, parathyroid hormone) and inflammatory (e.g., C-reactive protein, TNF) biomarkers had small effect sizes and correlations with HRQOL. In contrast, hematocrit demonstrated small to moderate relationships with mental and physical HRQOL, and nutritional biomarkers (e.g., albumin, creatinine, body mass index) demonstrated moderate to large relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQOL in ESRD is most affected in the physical domains, and nutritional biomarkers are most closely associated with these domains. In contrast, Kt/V, mineral metabolism indices, and inflammatory markers are poor HRQOL correlates.

The prevalence of symptoms in end-stage renal disease: a systematic review

Symptoms in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are underrecognized. Prevalence studies have focused on single symptoms rather than on the whole range of symptoms experienced. This systematic review aimed to describe prevalence of all symptoms, to better understand total symptom burden. Extensive database, "gray literature," and hand searches were undertaken, by predefined protocol, for studies reporting symptom prevalence in ESRD populations on dialysis, discontinuing dialysis, or without dialysis. Prevalence data were extracted, study quality assessed by use of established criteria, and studies contrasted/combined to show weighted mean prevalence and range. Fifty-nine studies in dialysis patients, one in patients discontinuing dialysis, and none in patients without dialysis met the inclusion criteria. For the following symptoms, weighted mean prevalence (and range) were fatigue/tiredness 71% (12% to 97%), pruritus 55% (10% to 77%), constipation 53% (8% to 57%), anorexia 49% (25% to 61%), pain 47% (8% to 82%), sleep disturbance 44% (20% to 83%), anxiety 38% (12% to 52%), dyspnea 35% (11% to 55%), nausea 33% (15% to 48%), restless legs 30% (8%to 52%), and depression 27% (5%to 58%). Prevalence variations related to differences in symptom definition, period of prevalence, and level of severity reported. ESRD patients on dialysis experience multiple symptoms, with pain, fatigue, pruritus, and constipation in more than 1 in 2 patients. In patients discontinuing dialysis, evidence is more limited, but it suggests they too have significant symptom burden. No evidence is available on symptom prevalence in ESRD patients managed conservatively (without dialysis). The need for greater recognition of and research into symptom prevalence and causes, and interventions to alleviate them, is urgent.

Employment post-transplant: a biopsychosocial analysis

Employment following renal transplantation has been lower than predicted at the time of the original end-stage renal disease (ESRD) legislation more than 30 years ago. This paper uses the biopsychosocial model to identify predictors of employment for 411 individuals transplanted at a single, large Midwestern academic center. Less than 50% of respondents reported part-time or full-time employment post-transplant. Factors found to predict employment were age at the time of transplant, race, sex, and patient perception of physical functioning. Individuals who were younger when transplanted, Caucasian, and males were more likely to be employed full-time following transplantation as were those who perceived themselves to have a higher level of physical functioning. No biological factors, including serum creatinine, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and diabetic status, were significant predictors of employment. The biopsychosocial model is used to discuss the implications of these findings for post-transplant employment and social work intervention.