Prof. Paul Bennett1, Ms Jess Nikolovski, Dr Brendan Smyth, Ms Dana Alhuzaimi, Ms Prena Nasikkar, Mr Chris Brown, Mr Bill Handke, Professor Stephen McDonald, Professor Rachael Morton
1Griffith University, QLD, , Australia
Biography:
Paul Bennett is a renal nurse, researcher and teacher. Recent work has involved the KDIGO Nursing Management of Patient Reported Outcomes, ISPD/GREX Global Peritoneal Dialysis Exercise Recommendations, assisted PD development and as an investigator in the SWIFT and TICKERs studies.
Background: Adults receiving haemodialysis report high symptom burden and poor quality of life. SWIFT is a cluster-randomised trial that tests the effect of a systematic symptom monitoring with feedback intervention versus standard care among haemodialysis patients in Australia.
Abstract:
Aim: To report symptom burden and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of individuals receiving haemodialysis in Australia.
Methods: This study used the Integrated Palliative Care Outcomes Scale Renal (IPOS-Renal) patient-reported outcome instrument (5-point scale: none, slight, moderate, severe, overwhelming) to measure symptom burden, and the EuroQol Five Dimensions Five Levels (EQ-5D-5L) to measure HRQOL.
Results: 2412 individuals receiving haemodialysis from 92 units with 50 units in metropolitan, 42 in rural areas participated in the study. Participant characteristics reflected the Australian dialysis population with median age of 68 years, 38% females, 8% First Nations, 65% Australia-born, 13% Europe-born with 37% residing in the lowest three socio-economic areas. 684 of 1,378 intervention participants (50%) reported at least one severe or overwhelming symptom. The most frequently reported moderate, severe or overwhelming symptoms were: weakness or lack of energy in 687 (50%); difficulty sleeping in 568 (41%), and pain in 530 (38%). Mean HRQOL was 0.81 (SD 0.24) for intervention and 0.79 (0.25) for standard care participants, with 40% reporting 1.0 (perfect health).
Conclusion: The results highlight a significant symptom burden in the Australian dialysis population with relatively high self-reported HRQOL. These data confirm the need to hear the voice of every patient about their symptoms using patient reported measures to improve symptom assessment and management.