title: A literature review of end-stage renal disease and cachexia: understanding experience to inform evidence-based healthcare.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cachexia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in people who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The majority of research into cachexia in ESRD has focused on the biological aspects of the syndrome and potential treatment modalities. While this research is necessary, it predominately focuses on the physical impact of cachexia in ESRD. The multi-dimensional psychosocial ramifications of this syndrome have been highlighted in other end-stage illness trajectories, but have not been systematically explored in persons who have ESRD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper discusses why this research is necessary, alongside further studies to help define the pathophysiology of this syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rich insightful data gained from understanding the patients' illness experience will positively contribute to the limited knowledge base available and inform future holistic patient-centred care delivery which recognises and responds to not only the biological but also the psychosocial impact of cachexia.
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University, Belfast, UK. j.reid@qub.ac.uk
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Reid
authors: Helen Rose
authors: HR
authors: Noble
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Porter
authors: Joanne Sarah
authors: JS
authors: Shields
authors: Alexander Peter
authors: AP
authors: Maxwell
mesh_terms: D002100:Cachexia / Q000401:mortality / Q000451:nursing*; D002423:Cause of Death; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000401:mortality / Q000451:nursing*; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000451:nursing; D015996:Survival Rate