American Journal of Kidney Diseases
Patients living with advanced kidney disease have tested a tool to aid in the decision-making process about what type of dialysis method is right for them—and the results are in.
Approximately 100,000 people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the U.S. must choose some form of dialysis each year. The two most common delivery methods are:
There is a wide variety of factors to consider, and studies show that many patients feel ill-informed about their options and ill-equipped to make this important decision. A growing body of research indicates that treatments that are in line with patient preferences lead to better clinical outcomes and improved quality of life.
In a 2019 study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, CKD patients tested the efficacy of a tool to aid in their dialysis decision-making process.*
The study was a parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of the decision aid on decision-making outcomes. Participants were English-speaking adults (≥ 18 years) in the U.S. with advanced CKD (eGFR < 25) and internet access.
The decision-making tool provided information concerning:
The tool also gathered data on the participants’:
Seven of the 140 participants who started the study (70 in the experimental group and 70 in the control group) did not complete the trial.
The data revealed that:
Concerning user experience:
The aid was effective at helping patients who were unsure of their treatment choice at the outset to feel more certain. It did not make people who had already selected an option to become uncertain or change their selection.
Expanding CKD knowledge through education has been proposed as a way to help overcome barriers to patients’ becoming informed partners with their providers when making critical health decisions. Decision aids, such as the one in this study, can broaden knowledge, increase perception of risks, reduce decisional conflict, and improve participation in shared decision-making.
Utilization of the decision aid in clinical practice could enable further assessment of its effects on patient engagement and empowerment when choosing a method of dialysis delivery. The decision-making tool could also be used to aid in the dissemination of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) information to help promote active patient engagement and improve health outcomes.
*Subramanian, L., Zhao, J., Zee, J., McCall, M., et al. (2019, Apr. 3). Use of a Decision Aid for Patients Considering Peritoneal Dialysis and In-Center Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. https://www.ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386(19)30160-X/fulltext
Source: {{articlecontent.article.sourceName}}
Receive daily updated expert-reviewed article summaries. Everything you need to know from discoveries, treatments, and living tips!
Already a Responsum member?
Available for Apple iOS and Android
Add Comments
Cancel