title: Patient experience of non-malignant ascites and its treatment: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ascites is an accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity. It can be caused by both malignant and non-malignant conditions and produces distressing symptoms. There have been no qualitative studies looking at the experiences of patients with non-malignant ascites.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences of patients living with non-malignant ascites and its management. Also, to explore the views of these patients about services available to them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phenomenological qualitative research study using digitally recorded semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six adult patients with non-malignant ascites who were receiving paracentesis to manage their symptoms in an acute hospital day unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants experienced a wide variety of physical symptoms. They discussed how the ascites impacted on their social lives. They had views on diuretics, low sodium diet and paracentesis as methods of symptom management. Participants' confidence in staff performing paracentesis was a common finding, particularly as ultrasound was rarely used. While only some were suitable for liver transplant, all discussed their future care needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants' experiences of non-malignant ascites are that it has a considerable effect on their quality of life. Patients like the system of day case admission for drainage, but question whether this is sustainable. Advanced practitioners can successfully provide a paracentesis service for these patients in hospitals and potentially this is transferable to hospices. Patients seemed happy to consider the option of semi-permanent drains and pumps as methods of managing ascites.
authors: Sue Ryder, Leckhampton Court Hospice, Cheltenham, UK.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Day
authors: Consultant in Gastroenterology (Hepatology).
authors: Coral
authors: C
authors: Hollywood
authors: Liver Specialist Nurse, both Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Durrant
authors: Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Sue Ryder/Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Perkins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000451:nursing*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Ascites; Gastroenterology; Palliative care; Paracentesis; Qualitative research