Quality of Life and Social Support of People on Peritoneal Dialysis: Mixed Methods Research

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2020-06, Vol.17 (12), p.4240
• Main Authors: Sitjar-Suñer, Miquel, Suñer-Soler, Rosa, Masià-Plana, Afra, Chirveches-Pérez, Emilia, Bertran-Noguer, Carme, Fuentes-Pumarola, Concepció
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Aged; Autonomy; Chronic illnesses; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data analysis; Dialysis; Female; Hemodialysis; Hospitals; Humans; Kidney diseases; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Male; Middle Aged; Mixed methods research; Patient satisfaction; Perceptions; Peritoneal Dialysis; Peritoneum; Public health; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Renal Dialysis; Renal replacement therapy; Social interactions; Social Support; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Symptomology
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124240

Although some study has been made into quality of life in patients with peritoneal dialysis, little is known about how this relates to social support. The aim of this paper was to study health-related quality of life, perceived social support and the experiences of people receiving peritoneal dialysis. A cross-sectional study was conducted using quantitative and qualitative methodologies, between June 2015 and March 2017. Fifty-five patients receiving peritoneal dialysis were studied. The most affected quality of life dimensions were the effects of the disease, the burden of the disease, occupational status, sleep and satisfaction. The physical component of the quality of life questionnaire was negatively associated with the number of hospital admissions over the previous year ( = 0.027) and positively associated with social support ( = 0.002). With regard to the mental component, age ( = 0.010) and social support ( = 0.041) were associated with a better quality of life. Peritoneal dialysis, while not a panacea, is experienced as being less aggressive than hemodialysis, allowing greater autonomy and improved perceived health. Greater symptomology corresponded to worse quality of life and to perceiving the disease as a burden. Patients had to adapt to the new situation despite their expectations. Social support was observed to be a key factor in perceived quality of life.