Qualitative study of dialysis patients experience of kidney disease V1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Qualitative study of how dialysis patients experience the management of their kidney disease

  • IRAS ID

    308878

  • Contact name

    Olayinka Farris

  • Contact email

    o.farris@essex.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Essex

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    n/a, n/a

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 10 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Background:
    Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive illness with high incidence and prevalence rates. Having kidney disease requires the ability to self-manage, for example, patients must comply with medications, monitor their blood pressure, make behavioural changes (e.g., follow strict diet, restrict fluid intake, and participate in physical activity) and have renal therapy (dialysis and transplant). Dialysis is an artificial technique for removal of waste products and fluid that accumulate in kidney failure. However, dialysis is only partially effective and to monitor adherence patients are weighed at each dialysis session to measure how much fluid they have gained since the last dialysis (interdialytic weight gain [IDWG]) and monthly blood tests to measure the blood concentration (e.g., phosphate, potassium) of waste products.
    Patients receive education about fluid restrictions and foods to avoid whilst receiving dialysis. Yet, patients struggle to adhere to these regimens as evidenced by elevated blood phosphate and potassium concentrations and excessive IDWG.

    Aim:
    The aim of this proposed study is to gain insight into how patients manage their kidney disease. For example their attitudes towards dietary and fluid restriction and the methods they use or find hard to use in daily life.

    Methods:
    The patients will be identified by Dr Richard Smith (Consultant nephrologist & principle investogator[PI]) and the renal unit has agreed to provide support to the study. The chief investigator (CI) will conduct one-hour interviews with 60 adult patients attending dialysis sessions at Ipswich hospital. The data will be analysed using thematic analysis to identify important common themes regarding self-regulation.

  • REC name

    London - Brent Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/PR/0143

  • Date of REC Opinion

    4 Mar 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion