Abstract: FR-PO0398
Using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for Routine Symptom Screening in the Dialysis Population
Session Information
- Dialysis: Measuring and Managing Symptoms and Syndromes
November 07, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Dialysis
- 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Authors
- Wilson, Natasha, University of Leicester Medical School, Leicester, England, United Kingdom
- March, Daniel Scott, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, England, United Kingdom
- Quann, Niamh, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, England, United Kingdom
- Burton, James, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, England, United Kingdom
- Hull, Katherine Leigh, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, England, United Kingdom
Background
Symptom burden in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is comparable to advanced stage cancer. This adversely affects dialysis patients’ health-related quality of life. The common symptoms of dialysis and ESRD are infrequently discussed; when symptoms are identified there is perception that little that can be done. Management of these symptoms is complicated by a lack of clinical data in this population and no formal guidelines for the management of common dialysis associated symptoms. The aim of this study was to explore patient and staff experiences of dialysis associated symptom burden.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews (n=17) and focus groups (n=3) were performed with people receiving dialysis, nephrologists, nurses and dietitians. Transcripts were analysed following Braun and Clarke’s framework for reflexive thematic analysis. Data are presented as themes and representative quotes.
Results
Dialysis associated symptoms mean different things to patients and staff. These data corroborated high symptom burden experienced by the dialysis population; with emphasis on pain, fatigue, itch, sleep disturbance and gastrointestinal symptoms. Themes revealing potential barriers to effective symptom screening and management include accessibility of services; awareness of ESRD management and symptomology and infrastructure for regular symptom screening.
Conclusion
Themes suggest communication barriers surrounding symptomatology between patients and staff, which may even contribute to the withdrawal of treatment in certain circumstances. Future work should focus on implementing infrastructure for regular symptom screening.