Active experiences in volume management among peritoneal dialysis patients with long duration: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is one of the main renal replacement therapies for patients with end-stage renal disease, but many PD patients still experience significant volume overload (VO). Currently, there is a lack of research on VO in PD patients specifically focusing on the unique group of long duration PD patients. No studies have yet examined the impact of long dialysis vintage on VO from the perspective of research subjects. This study conducted in-depth interviews with long duration PD patients to explore their positive experiences in volume management.

Methods: Using purposive sampling, 10 long duration PD patients from a nephrology department at a tertiary hospital in Baoding City, China, from September, 2024 to October 2024 were selected as interview subjects in this retrospective study. The phenomenological approach in qualitative research was employed, conducting semi-structured in-depth interviews with these patients using the "knowledge-attitude-practice" theoretical framework and incorporating a literature-designed interview guide.

Results: Among the 10 interviewees, there were four males and six females aged 35 to 64 years. Data analysis extracted four main themes: illness perception, positive attitude, excellent compliance, and social support.

Conclusion: The volume management in long duration PD patients was influenced by multiple factors. This study identified themes of illness perception, positive attitude, excellent adherence, and social support. The results may guide clinical healthcare professionals in helping PD patients actively address VO and implement targeted interventions to improve their quality of life.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; End-stage renal disease; Illness perception; Peritoneal dialysis; Social support.

Fig.1

Four themes were identified for this study.