Lack of physiotherapy resources restricts exercise prescription for patients with chronic kidney disease – the EUropean SUrvey on REnal EXercise (EUSUREX)

Background We hypothesised that the main barriers to integrating exercise in routine care of patients with CKD were structural within European healthcare systems rather than due to resistance among healthcare professionals or patients. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study used anonymised questionnaires to investigate nurses’ and physicians’ attitudes and practice towards exercise in patients with CKD; structural support within the healthcare system; patients’ experience of exercise prescriptions. Kidney units were randomly selected in Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and Sweden. Results 352 (35 M %) nurses; 143 (54M%) physicians participated; 96% and 98%, respectively, believed exercise was beneficial. 59(CI:50–67)% of them prescribed exercise ‘always or often’ (I2 91%), ranging from 15% in Germany to 86% in Sweden. 48(CI:39–56)% of the facilities did not have a physiotherapy unit (I2 98%); 6(CI:3–12)% did: Italy 1(CI:0.03–7)%; Sweden 86(CI:42–99)%, (I2 97%). 7(CI:3–12% had physiotherapists and exercise programmes 8(CI:4–13)% for all treatment modalities: Italy 4(CI:1–10)% and 5(CI:1–12)%, respectively; Sweden 71(CI:29–96)% and 86(CI:42–99)%, (I2 87 and 97%, respectively). Only Sweden reimbursed physiotherapy costs for all patients. 1235 patients participated: CKD 4–5 (n = 137, M62%); peritoneal dialysis (n = 40, M60%); home-hemodialysis (n = 30, M63%); institutional hemodialysis (n = 928, M59%); kidney transplant (n = 100, M62%). Between 9 and 37% of all patients reported having received an exercise programme, among those 1/3 to 2/3 had continued to exercise. Conclusions Physicians and nurses regarded exercise as important for patients with CKD. Physical performance was not assessed. Most patients had not received exercise prescriptions. All countries except Sweden, lacked physiotherapy resources and reimbursement strategies. Healthcare systems need to recognize the beneficial effects of exercise and provide adequate resources.