Key result
The quantity and nature of assistance required by older patients for peritoneal dialysis-related tasks remained stable over the initial 6 months of treatment, with no significant change over time (P=0.93).
Why the study?
Many peritoneal dialysis patients require personal and health care assistance, but whether the nature of and need for this assistance decreases over time as patients become familiar with tasks was unknown.
Does the need for assistance with peritoneal dialysis-related tasks decrease over time in older patients initiating PD?
Observational (n=111)
Yes
Does the need for assistance with peritoneal dialysis-related tasks decrease over time in older patients initiating PD?
p-value: p=0.93
Older patients initiating peritoneal dialysis have a high need for assistance with PD-related tasks that persists without significant decline over the first 6 months.
PD assistance needs persist unchanged over time in older outpatients; leaves open whether sustained support programs reduce long-term caregiver burden.
Background Home dialysis therapies, such as peritoneal dialysis (PD), offer flexibility and improved well-being, particularly for older individuals. However, a substantial proportion require assistance with personal care and health care–related tasks. We hypothesized that patients and families would require less PD assistance as they became more familiar with PD-related tasks. The study objective was to assess whether the nature of, and need for, PD assistance decreased over time. Methods Using a multicentered, prospective, observational study design, patients aged ≥50 years were recruited from those starting PD. Patients underwent formal evaluation using validated components of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment at baseline, and they were followed monthly and administered a questionnaire about the need for assistance with PD-related tasks. Results A total of 111 patients (age 69±10 years, 68% men, and 56% diabetic) were followed for a total of 609 patient-months. Of those who needed help, 40% had help from a family member, and 33% were helped by nurses. Both the quantity and nature of help received by patients remained generally stable throughout follow-up and did not vary according to age, frailty, functional dependence, or cognitive impairment ( P =0.93). The proportion of patients needing help varied widely across the 13 different tasks but appeared relatively stable across time. The paid-unpaid caregiver ratio for the different tasks did not change over time. Conclusions Older patients initiating PD in the outpatient setting have a high need for assistance with PD-related tasks, which seems to persist over the initial 6-month period.
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Fonseca‐Correa et al. (2021) conducted an observational in End-stage renal disease requiring peritoneal dialysis (n=111). Time on peritoneal dialysis (longitudinal follow-up) vs. Baseline assessment was evaluated on Change in the level of assistance required for PD-related tasks over time (p=0.93). The quantity and nature of assistance required by older patients for peritoneal dialysis-related tasks remained stable over the initial 6 months of treatment, with no significant change over time (P=0.93).
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