Abstract: TH-PO594
A Qualitative Exploration of Treatment Burden and Its Impact on Quality of Life Among CKD Patients in Qatar
Session Information
- Health Maintenance, Nutrition, Metabolism - I
November 07, 2019 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
- 1300 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
Authors
- Al-Ali, Fadwa M., Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Almansouri, Asma M., Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Hamad, Abdullah Ibrahim, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Kheir, Nadir, University of Auckland, Aukland, New Zealand
- Izham, Mohamed, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Ibrahim, Rania Abdelaziz, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Awaisu, Ahmed, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
Background
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients typically experience comorbidities and complications resulting in complex treatments. Treatment-related burden ultimately impair adherence and quality of life (QoL). Quantifying treatment-related burden and QoL using quantitative measures may not provide an in-depth understanding of this phenomenon. We performed a study to qualitatively explore and describe treatment-related burden and its impact on QoL among CKD patients in Qatar.
Methods
One-to-one semi-structured interviews with CKD patients were conducted. An interview guide was developed based on literature review, conceptual model and discussions among the research team members. The interview questions addressed several components including facing life limitations and stressors (physical, psychological, social, financial and nutritional). The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically.
Results
Randomly selected twenty-four CKD patients (10 pre-dialysis and 14 hemodialysis) of diverse characteristics were interviewed. Two themes related to the factors that reduce perceived treatment burden and improve patients’ QoL emerged: (1) religion and faith in God; (2) quality of the care provided (including health care providers and facility quality and establishing family-like environment). On the other hand, five themes related to the factors that increase perceived treatment burden and worsen patients’ QoL emerged from the interviews: (1) medication burden (polypharmacy, side effects, medication formulation, and non-adherence); (2) lifestyle changes imposed on CKD patients; (3) challenges with international travels; (4) financial burden and; (5) empathy.
Conclusion
Qualitative Thematic analysis has yield two factors that reduced perceived treatment burden and improved patients’ QOL; religion and faith in God, and quality of the care provided. Medication burden, life style changes, challenges with international travelling, financial burden, and empathy were factors that worsen perceived treatment-related burden and HR-RQOL. Our study suggests that identified factors that increase treatment-related burden should be considered when designing healthcare interventions directed toward CKD population
Funding
- Government Support - Non-U.S.