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

Miquel Sitjar-Suñer, Rosa Suñer-Soler, Afra Masià-Plana, Emilia Chirveches-Pérez, Carme Bertran-Noguer and Concepció Fuentes-Pumarola
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Miquel Sitjar-Suñer: University Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta, Nephrology Service, 17007 Girona, Spain
Rosa Suñer-Soler: Department of Nursing, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
Afra Masià-Plana: Department of Nursing, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
Emilia Chirveches-Pérez: Department of Nursing, UVic-UCC, 08500 Vic, Spain
Carme Bertran-Noguer: Department of Nursing, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
Concepció Fuentes-Pumarola: Department of Nursing, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: 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 ( p = 0.027) and positively associated with social support ( p = 0.002). With regard to the mental component, age ( p = 0.010) and social support ( p = 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.

Keywords: chronic kidney disease; peritoneal dialysis; social support; quality of life; renal nursing; research in practice; mixed methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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