Quality of life and perceived care of patients in advanced chronic kidney disease consultations: a cross-sectional descriptive study

TL;DR

This study assesses quality of life and perceived care in advanced CKD patients, finding they are independent dimensions, emphasizing the need to address both separately for better patient outcomes.

Contribution

It provides novel insights into the independence of quality of life and perceived care in advanced CKD patients, highlighting the importance of tailored interventions.

Findings

Quality of life and perceived care are independent in advanced CKD patients.

Physical role differences observed between genders and age groups.

No correlation between quality of life and perceived care scores.

Abstract

Objetive: In the care of renal patients, prioritising their quality of life and nursing care is essential. Research links patients' perceptions of care quality to improved outcomes such as safety, clinical efficacy, treatment adherence, and preventive practices. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life and care perception in these patients and explore potential associations between these dimensions. Material and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 43 patients attending an advanced CKD clinic. Quality of life was assessed using the KDQOL-36 questionnaire, while the IECPAX questionnaire measured perceived care quality. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from patient records. Participants completed the questionnaires during routine visits, with scores analysed to identify associations between variables. Results: The study included 60% men (n=28) and 32% women (n=15), with a mean age of 78 years . Among participants, 45% were diabetic, 79% hypertensive, and 58% took more than five medications daily. Mean scores were 78.76 for KDQOL-36 and 5.54 for IECPAX. Significant differences were found in the physical role domain between men and women (p=0.01) and for individuals over 65 years (p=0.04). Higher IECPAX scores were associated with taking more than five medications (p=0.05). However, no correlation was observed between KDQOL-36 and IECPAX scores. Conclusions: The findings suggest that quality of life and perceived care quality are independent in advanced CKD patients. While this study provides insights, larger multicentre studies are needed to validate these results. These findings highlight the importance of addressing both aspects separately to improve outcomes in this population.