Illness perceptions and treatment perceptions of patients with chronic kidney disease: Different phases, different perceptions?

Abstract

What is already known on this subject? Dialysis patients' perceptions of illness understanding and illness symptoms vary over the first year on dialysis. Established haemodialysis patients' perceptions of illness understanding, emotional response and treatment control vary over a 2-year period. Certain illness perceptions as well as treatment perceptions vary as a function of treatment type in patients with CKD stage 5 (dialysis patients, patients with a kidney transplant). What does this study add? Patients' perceptions of illness understanding and treatment consequences vary between patients as a function of length of time on (haemo-, peritoneal-) dialysis, taking into account a wide range of time (0-10 years). Illness perceptions and treatment perceptions of patients on haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis vary within patients over an 8-month interval, with perceptions of treatment control and personal control showing the highest variations. Perceptions of illness consequences, treatment consequences and treatment control vary as a function of type of treatment, taking into account pre-dialysis treatment (CKD stage 4) and dialysis (haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis) treatment (CKD stage 5).