Satisfaction of patients on chronic haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
BACKGROUND
In contrast to quality of life, patient satisfaction on chronic haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) has only rarely been studied.


METHODS
All chronic HD and PD patients of the 19 centres located in western Switzerland were asked to complete a specific questionnaire, assessing dialysis centre characteristics, treatment modalities, and information received before and during dialysis treatment. Comparison between satisfaction with PD and HD was carried out on the patients in the nine centres offering both treatment modalities.


RESULTS
Of the 558 questionnaires distributed to chronic HD patients, 455 were returned (response rate 82%). Fifty of 64 PD patients (78%) returned the questionnaire. The two groups were similar in age, gender, and duration of dialysis treatment. Completion rates were >90% for a majority of questions, with the lowest rate for information on sexuality (49% in HD and 54% in PD respectively). The lowest scores were recorded for information received about complications and costs of dialysis, and impact of end-stage kidney disease on sexuality. Satisfaction was lower in anonymous questionnaires. Satisfaction of PD patients was significantly better in 50% of the questions, particularly session tolerance (p<0.001), information about dialysis sessions (p=0.007), and complications (p=0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
PD patients were on average more satisfied with their treatment than HD patients. Satisfaction could be improved with more information about potential adverse treatment effects.
Wasserfallen
Jean-Blaise
JB
University Hospital Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland. jwasserf@chuv.hospvd.ch
Moinat
Micheline
M
Halabi
Georges
G
Saudan
Patrick
P
Perneger
Thomas
T
Feldman
Harold I
HI
Martin
Pierre-Yves
PY
Wauters
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000367:Age Factors; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D019529:Sexuality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland