The Other Side of The Coin in Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis

Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

Background: Assisted peritoneal dialysis (aPD) has long been used worldwide to treat elderly and frail patients with end-stage renal disease.  In developed countries, aPD is provided by health professionals, while in developing countries it is provided by family members or caregivers. The main aim of this study was to examine the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers and to investigate its impact on PD.
Methods: We included 31 patients on self-administered peritoneal dialysis and 40 patients on aPD. Patients were compared in terms of peritonitis, hospitalization, and catheter exit site infection. SF-36 questionnaire was administered to family members and caregivers assisting peritoneal dialysis and compared with the control group.
Results: When the SF-36 life scale sections of the assistants were evaluated separately, the median physical function score, median physical role difficulty score, median emotional role difficulty score, median social functioning score, median pain score, mean general health perception and total SF36 score were found to be statistically significantly lower compared to the control group ( 90 vs 57.5, 100 vs 0, 100 vs 16.7, 100 vs 50, 90 vs 55, 77.4 vs 47, 3020 vs 1575, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.001, p <0.001, p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of clinical outcomes such as peritonitis, catheter exit site infection, and the need for hospitalization.
Conclusion: In developing countries, peritoneal dialysis supported by family members can be a convenient, safe, and cost-effective dialysis method. Nevertheless, it can be reasonable to establish measures and policies to enhance the quality of life of caregivers.