Early nephrology care provided by the nephrologist alone is not sufficient to mitigate the social and psychological aspects of chronic kidney disease
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322011000200011Keywords:
Chronic illness, End-stage renal disease, Dialysis, Late referral, Psychosocial aspectsAbstract
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% of Group 1 and 55% of Group 2 reported that they had no prior knowledge about dialysis; 58% and 40%, respectively, reported that they ''don't completely understand what the doctor says''; and 74% and 85%, 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.Downloads
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Published
2011-01-01
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Clinical Sciences
How to Cite
Early nephrology care provided by the nephrologist alone is not sufficient to mitigate the social and psychological aspects of chronic kidney disease . (2011). Clinics, 66(2), 245-250. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1807-59322011000200011