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Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO315

The Psychological Burden Associated with Functional Dependency in Hemodialysis Patients

Session Information

Category: Dialysis

  • 701 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis

Authors

  • Gutierrez Peredo, Gabriel Brayan, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA BAHIA, Salvador, Brazil
  • Lopes, Marcelo, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA BAHIA, Salvador, Brazil
  • Lopes, Gildete Barreto, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA BAHIA, Salvador, Brazil
  • Lopes, Antonio Alberto, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA BAHIA, Salvador, Brazil
Background

Functional dependency is highly prevalent in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. We investigated associations between functional dependency and the psychological burden reported by MHD patients

Methods

Cross section of 235 MHD patients treated in Salvador, Brazil. Responses to Katz’s and Lawton-Brody’s functional status questionnaires were used to create 3 groups: highly dependent (n=44), mild dependent (n=109) and independent (n=82). Using KDQOL-SF patients were asked how true was the 4 questions of the kidney disease burden (KDB) scale: 1) disease interferes too much with life, 2) too much time dealing with the disease, 3) feel frustrated with the disease, 4) feel like a burden on my family. Responses varied from definitely true to false; definitive/mostly true defined higher burden. The KDB score (range from 0 to 100) was determined based on patient’s responses; higher scores indicate lower burden. Regression models adjusted for age and comorbidities were used to estimate associations of functional status with KDB scores.

Results

Mean age was 51.2±12.4 yr and significantly higher in highly dependent patients (P<0.001). The Table shows score differences and the Figure shows the trend in % of responses for each KDB question, by functional status.

Conclusion

The results indicate that functional dependency represents a strong psychological burden for MHD patients.

MEANS AND ADJUSTED DIFFERENCES OF THE KIDNEY DISEASE BURDEN SCORE
FUNCTIONAL STATUSMEAN KDB SCOREDIFFERENCE (95% CI)
Independent64.4±27.2Reference = 0
Mild Dependent44.6±26.5-18.5 (-27.7, -9.36)
Highly Dependent35.0±25.7-25.5 (-35.3, -15.7)

KDB = kidney disease burden

Percentages of True or Definitely True Responses for each Item of the Kidney Disease Burden Scale, by Functional Status

Funding

  • Government Support - Non-U.S.