American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation
-
Minimal data exist to describe health-related quality of life in children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ⋯ Results support the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales in children with ESRD and provide initial support for the PedsQL 3.0 ESRD Module, although additional validation testing is warranted.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Posttraumatic stress disorder in hemodialysis patients.
We aim to assess the prevalence and severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients who receive long-term hemodialysis (HD) and investigate its correlation with depression, anxiety, health-related quality of life, and service utilization. ⋯ PTSD is common in HD patients, but little work has been done to explore the variables associated with PTSD. Data suggest that PTSD is underdiagnosed and undertreated in HD patients. Interventions should target these patients with the goal to improve well-being and quality of life.
-
Multicenter Study
Impact of near-death experiences on dialysis patients: a multicenter collaborative study.
People who have come close to death may report an unusual experience known as a near-death experience (NDE). This study aims to investigate NDEs and their aftereffects in dialysis patients. ⋯ NDE is not uncommon in the dialysis population and is associated with positive aftereffects. Nephrology care providers should be aware of the occurrence and aftereffects of NDEs. The high occurrence of life-threatening events, availability of medical records, and accessibility and cooperativeness of patients make the dialysis population very suitable for NDE research.
-
Multicenter Study
Diuretic use, residual renal function, and mortality among hemodialysis patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Pattern Study (DOPPS).
Information about residual renal function (RRF) and outcomes associated with practices of diuretic use in patients with end-stage renal disease is not available worldwide. ⋯ Variation exists in facility practices of diuretic use. In patients with RRF, there may be benefit associated with continuing diuretic use rather than automatically discontinuing diuretic therapy at dialysis initiation.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Families' and physicians' predictions of dialysis patients' preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments in Japan.
Substituted judgment traditionally has been used often for patient care in Japan regardless of the patient's competency. It has been believed that patient preferences are understood intuitively by family and caregivers. However, there are no data to support this assumption. ⋯ Our study suggests that patients who want to spend their end-of-life period as they want should leave better advance directives.