Early nephrology care provided by the nephrologist alone is not sufficient to mitigate the social and psychological aspects of chronic kidney disease
Clinics
;
66(2): 245-250, 2011. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-581509
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Patients with chronic kidney disease who receive early nephrology care have a better prognosis with maintenance dialysis. We aimed to determine whether early referral to a nephrologist can also improve the psychological burden of having chronic kidney disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with chronic kidney disease that required hemodialysis were studied: 19 had a $ 6-month history of nephrology care (Group1), and 20 had never received any prior nephrology care (Group2). All patients participated in a semi-structured interview that addressed their perceived knowledge and psychological aspects related to CKD and hemodialysis. Demographic and laboratory data as well as socioeconomic status were evaluated. RESULTS: In both groups, most of the patients were of low socioeconomic status. Group 1 had significantly better laboratory parameters (p<0.05). The patients' answers to the questions showed no differences between the groups: 63 percent of Group 1 and 55 percent of Group 2 reported that they had no prior knowledge about dialysis; 58 percent and 40 percent, respectively, reported that they ''don't completely understand what the doctor says''; and 74 percent and 85 percent, respectively, believed that their ''kidneys would work again''. CONCLUSION: Pre-dialysis nephrology care improves the clinical conditions of the patients with chronic kidney disease but is insufficient for minimizing other aspects of having chronic kidney disease.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Referral and Consultation
/
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
/
Patient Education as Topic
/
Renal Dialysis
/
Kidney Failure, Chronic
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Clinics
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2011
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
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